Movie Review ~ Between the Temples

With the resurgence of traditional rom-coms in theaters and streaming services, such as the delightful Fly Me to the Moon, it’s only natural that subgenres within the romantic comedy realm will also gain attention. The portrayal of May-December romances on screen has a rich history, but it’s those who dare to be different, who challenge the norms, that truly stand out.  

Straightforward tales of love with a generational gap can be emotional (1955’s All That Heaven Allows), musical (1957’s Funny Face), steamy (How Stella Got Her Groove Back from 1998), unconventional (2003’s Something’s Gotta Give, more like a November-December) and the quirkiest and most offbeat of them all, Harold and Maude.   Operating in the same vein as that darkly comic 1971 cult favorite, Between the Temples makes a valiant effort to carve out its droll niche in charming and occasionally frustrating ways.

Young widower Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman, Asteroid City) continues to mourn the sudden loss of his wife.  Finding himself living at home with his well-meaning but overbearing mothers, Judith and Meira (played by Dolly de Leon and Caroline Aaron), the cantor has lost self-confidence, which manifests in his work at the local synagogue.  Unable to sing or perform his functional responsibilities, he’s prepared to end it all until his life takes another sharp swerve as Carla O’Connor (Carol Kane, The Dead Don’t Die) floats back into his life.

Ben’s elementary school music teacher, Carla is an eccentric who sees her reconnection with Ben as an opportunity for them both.  She wants to have the bat mitzvah she never had as a young girl, and he needs his faith restored in life and humanity in more than just a religious sense.  Initially reluctant, Ben discovers that Carla’s askew worldview is exactly the wake-up call he needs, and as they study the Torah, he begins to grapple with feelings for his former teacher.  Much to the embarrassment of their respective families and Ben’s supposed love interest, Gabby (Madeline Weinstein, Queen of Glory), the unlikely pair navigate poignant discoveries about themselves through their blossoming bond.

Writer/director Nathan Silver’s film premiered at Sundance in January. It often feels like a film sealed away in a time capsule and has only been uncovered recently.  Though Between the Temples has a defined modern-day relevance, its overall nostalgic vibe gives major early ’90s aesthetics thanks to grainy visuals, a plunky score, and a cast of colorful supporting characters one Parker Posey short of being just right.  While all these throwback feels are all well and good, they occasionally threaten to overshadow the central themes of Silver’s sweet message about self-discovery at any age.  

Kane reaffirms her status as one of the enduringly fascinating actors of her generation.  Oscar-nominated in 1975 for Hester Street and the creator of numerous roles across mediums over the years (compare her work in 1979’s When a Stranger Calls to 1988’s Scrooged), her portrayal of the fizzy, determined septuagenarian injects the film with captivating energy.  That makes a compelling counterpoint to Schwartzman, who continues to develop into a formidable leading man capable of handling a range of styles.  As Schwartzman’s character rediscovers his zest for life, Kane brings out the best in her co-star, sharing a unique chemistry that isn’t defined by the standard genre norms.

Equal parts sweet and strange, the magic of Between the Temples begins to wear off around ¾ of the way through when the real world and weird wobbly anomalies start to creep in.  No shade to the fantastic talents of De Leon (Ghostlight) and Aaron (Theater Camp), but neither seem explicitly right for their parts as Ben’s mothers. It’s as if both thought they were playing the other’s roles and only realized it when they showed up on set.  Something’s off, and it leads to friction.   Lucky for us, Kane and Schwartzman are strong enough to give this warm-hearted indie reason to embrace its peculiarities.