Between the Temples. 2024. USA. Directed by Nathan Silver. Screenplay by Silver, C. Mason Wells. With Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane, Dolly De Leon. DCP courtesy Sony Pictures Classics. 111 min.
A suicidal, tone-deaf synagogue cantor walks into a bar.... Thus begins this sweetly anarchical comedy of spiritual misgivings and second chances, featuring Jason Schwartzman, Carol Kane and a superb ensemble of quick wits (Dolly De Leon, Robert Smigel, Caroline Aaron, Madeline Weinstein, Matthew Shear). And while Between the Temples wears its influences on its tallis-covered sleeve (Harold and Maude, The Graduate, Stolen Kisses, the screwball comedies of Preston Sturges and early Woody Allen), New York indie stalwart Nathan Silver takes his cues from less obvious inspirations like John Cassavetes, Rainer Werner Fassbinder, and Kira Muratova, keeping the film from falling into the usual pitfalls and pratfalls of traditional Jewish humor—nebbishy self-pity and zany schtick—by instead keeping faith in the creative, restorative powers of intimacy, vulnerability, and tenderness.