Carl Roberts 
“With superb, winning performances from Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane, Between The Temples teaches us that two hearts can beat as one.”
At this time of year, you can expect to see the multiplexes full to the brim with audiences flocking to see the latest blockbusters. It is the same every year. With these huge movies locking horns in a battle for those box office bucks, some smaller films also get released. Sadly, many fall by the wayside as the big guns go at it. But sometimes, they actually manage to appeal to an audience that wants smaller fare. Something with a heart beating beneath its exterior. A movie that can entertain and touch our hearts with a simplistic story that harks back to reality. This weekend, Between The Temples will be attempting to do just that. It is a comedy directed by Nathan Silver and written by Silver and C. Mason Wells. The movie features Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane, Dolly de Leon, Caroline Aaron, Robert Smigel and Madeline Weinstein.
PREMISE
A cantor who is having his own crisis of faith has a new adult bat mitzvah student who happens to be his grade school music teacher.
THOUGHTS
Don’t let the premise put you off. If it does, then you’d be missing out on a gem of a movie. From the start, the film has us neatly in the palm of its hand. A simple story about love, loss and redemption, it has enough comedy and drama to sustain our interest for its 111-minute runtime. Featuring two superb performances from the two leads, it has us hooked. If we are not laughing out loud one minute, it has us feeling emotions we didn’t know we would feel with the film. Believe me, the balancing act of the perfect amount of comedy and drama is a hard one to get right. But the film manages it with ease.
When you have a cantor attempt suicide by lying in front of an 18-wheeler, you’d be mistaken for thinking what have you wandered into? The scene itself is handled with style, emotion and some brilliant comedy that we can’t help but enjoy. And this is within the first ten minutes of the film starting. What follows is a witty, heartfelt, and emotional film that makes us take a look at ourselves as well as the people around us. It touches our hearts and never lets us go. And makes for a hell of a refreshing change from big-budget Hollywood.
JASON SCHWARTZMAN AND CAROL KANE
The film contains many good, hearty performances. But they can’t hold a candle to the pairing of Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane. Quite frankly, they are remarkable. Schwartzman, as you’d expect brings comedic flair to the film as Ben Gottlieb. Ben has lost his wife and is suffering a crisis of epic proportions. His faith has been shaken to its foundations, he suffers from mood swings that he can’t control and has suicidal thoughts. One outburst in a bar gets him a bloody nose, knocked down to the floor and lays him low. Our hearts reach out to him as we can feel his pain underneath the comedic quips and actions he comes out with. Schwartzman has never been better in a film. Not only is he a fine comedic actor but he proves a deft dramatic actor too.
Carol Kane as Carla O’Connor deserves to be handed awards for her performance here. As Carla, she gives an emotional and heartfelt masterclass as a widow who decides that years after the fact, she wants her bat mitzvah. After helping Ben off the bar floor and taking him home, Carla becomes Ben’s confident, friend and stabilizing presence in his life that he so desperately needs. Dealing with her uptight, controlling son, Carla shows strength that we wouldn’t expect. She also has a medical condition that has us fearing for her throughout. Carol Kane delivers a character that we can’t help but love and hold out hope for.
VERDICT
With superb, winning performances from Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane, Between The Temples teaches us that two hearts can beat as one. It shows us that love can hit us at any time, no matter how unexpected, and however unlikely. It proves that we all need somebody in our lives as a calming or emotional influence, no matter what age we are, what sexuality, race or religion. The film shows that when we find the one, then no matter what anyone says or does, we know deep inside that it is true.
Some of what we see may feel uncomfortable and that is understandable. The film deals with some touchy subjects along the way. But it is all handled with tact, understanding, humility and comedy. The rest of the cinematic year will be hard-pressed to top what is on offer here. It won’t be everyone’s cup of tea but for those who take a chance, prepare for a fun and moving movie that’ll touch your heart.
Between The Temples will be in cinemas from Friday, courtesy of Sony Pictures Classics.
Introducing Carl! As the News Editor at Future of the Force, Carl has been an invaluable member of our team since early 2016. His expertise and dedication have made him an integral part of our editorial staff. Beyond his professional role, Carl is a fervent supporter of Liverpool F.C. and an avid follower of pop culture. He has a deep passion for Halloween, Friday the 13th, and the iconic movie franchises Star Wars and Star Trek.
He can be found either at his neighborhood cinema, enjoying the latest releases on the big screen, or at home streaming the newest blockbuster movies.
