Between the Temples is a film that it has taken me a couple of days to process before I could write a review. Although it really is a mixed bag of good and not-so-good, I really wanted to take my time in order to put my words out there in a way that could truly convey my feelings on this film.
Directed and co-written by Nathan Silver, Jason Schwartzman plays Ben Gottlieb, who works at his local temple as their cantor (who leads prayer and song during their services). He is dealing with some major life issues that have him living with his non-traditional family and on a downward spiral, further complicated after running into his elementary school music teacher in Carla Kessler (Carol Kane). While teaching his latest group of students to prepare for their mitzvah celebrations, she joins the class and wants a Bat Mitzvah for herself. As Ben tries to work through his own things, they wind up entangled with each other’s journeys to some crazy results.
Let’s start with the good here: the acting here is SOLID. Both Schwartzman and Kane are as great as they always are, and their chemistry is nothing short of palpable. Robert Smigel has a great turn as the rabbi of the temple, whose brutal honesty both helps Ben keep perspective and want to give him that “really, bro” look at the same time. Most of the other cast here is ancillary, and that is exactly where they need to be. This is really a two-character story, but those around both of them are necessary to help keep the narrative moving forward. Cinematographer Sean Price Williams keeps things tight on the characters without making the film itself feel too closed in, giving a sense of the intimacy on multiple levels reflected in the story.
On the downside is the script itself. I feel like this would have been better served as a short film as it is a premise that might be better served in a denser time frame. There is a lot of exposition that I did not feel was necessary that felt only had the intention of making a larger audience understand the typical dynamic between the characters on the screen as well as their faith. In the final analysis, these details don’t really serve the overall narrative in the way the filmmakers may have thought that it would, which also makes the story feel a bit scatter-shot. As the third act reaches its climax and resolution, there was a sense of pure chaos that forced a rushed finish that I cannot say is unsatisfying but more just kind of there.
Between the Temples is one that will appeal to the “indie” crowd, but I am not sure how well it will do with a larger audience. If I were to recommend it, I would say to wait for it until you can stream it on the service of your choice so you can do other things during it while still paying enough attention to keep up.
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