Keeping Up with the Steins

Keeping Up with the Steins

Competitive bar mitzvah-ing takes a quantum leap toward becoming an Olympic sport in this clash of Hollywood press agent-dads. The film opens on a half-million dollar party with a "Titanic" theme on a real cruise ship, complete with the young man of the hour at the bow of a mock cruise ship sailing through icebergs, spreading his wings and screaming to the world, "I am the King of the Torah!" From that tasteful opening, the preparations for the next bar mitzvah celebration become a tad ostentatious. Not to be outdone, the next talent agent's son's party must of course be bigger and better: "It's the party that matters!" While it's unlikely anyone reading this review has engaged in an act of "keeping up with the Joneses, er, Steins" at this level, it is also unlikely any reader has not similarly competed at more modest levels. Humor is reality exaggerated. This film might be just a little too funny. There are a few moments when we silently scream, "Ouch!" Who wants outsiders seeing us at less than our best? Garry Marshall as the granddad invited back into the family after decades away is the voice of sanity who swims naked and tells truths. Daryl Hannah, still a "10" after all these years, as Marshall's "airy-fairy" shiksa friend, Sacred Feather, also swims naked, but unfortunately in a well-placed tube. Doris Roberts, as the grandma who never divorced her rapscallion husband, is her usual Doris Roberts character, played – also as usual – to perfection. Jeremy Piven comes within a hair of bursting into a million pieces from anger and the need to win. Daryl Sabara as the about-to-be Stein bar mitzvah, is wonderful: capable of a wide range of believable emotions. Cool kid. "Steins" is a story to which we can all relate on some level, and thus we willingly suspend disbelief and go along for the ride. The ending would be predictable if we weren't so completely engaged in the shenanigans along the way that we don't take the time to think about what's coming. Even if we did, the film does it better than you would have imagined. Not one of the all-time great flicks, but thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.

I thoroughly enjoyed this movie it was a very good movie and it reminded me of my own Bar Mitzvah (which incidentally you don't have be 13 to have one (you can have a bar Mitzvah anytime after a boy turns 13 (in some sects of Judaism girls can have something similar called a bat mitzvahs.. I enjoyed the movie excellent in showing how some people go overboard.. but it also shows its not necessary to go overboard to have a wonderful celebration.. which is the true meaning of the bar mitzvahs, this means the young man could now attend a temple and partake in a minyan (a group of at least 10 men) to pray. I cant wait for the DVD to come out as I will certainly buy for my collection!

Jeremy Piven, Garry Marshall + Daryl Hannah were all terrific. Being Jewish myself, this film reminded me a lot of my Bar Mitzvah and how crazy things get! I must tell you that my favorite in the entire movie was actress Sandra Taylor who played Raylene Stein. This gal is drop dead gorgeous. In my book I rate her a '13' in both looks and acting. I found her to be most entertaining and very funny. I also enjoyed Larry Miller, Cheryl Hines and Daryl Sabora's roles. I think Daryl Sabora was the perfect choice for this movie. Bravo to Scott Marshall for putting out such an entertaining flick. I left the theater feeling like I really got my money's worth this time.

To all these people saying you do not have to be a j e w to enjoy this movie. Stop lying! This movie is 100% Jewish FOR j e w s. Did anyone else notice how there was always a lot of African-Americans used in this Jewish movie? It was almost like it was trying to link j e w s to blacks as somehow being partners in a "they hate both our people" way. And what is it with Jewish movies always having to have nudity? Do j e w s not get entertained by anything other than filth? (second time to meet the requirements) To all these people saying you do not have to be a j e w to enjoy this movie. Stop lying! This movie is 100% Jewish FOR j e w s. Did anyone else notice how there was always a lot of African-Americans used in this Jewish movie? It was almost like it was trying to link j e w s to blacks as somehow being partners in a "they hate both our people" way. And what is it with Jewish movies always having to have nudity? Do j e w s not get entertained by anything other than filth? And why do these comments refuse to post if you type the word "j e w s"? Isn't it about time to get over this BS already?

This comedy hits it right on the head detailing that the idea of the Bar Mitzvah in the Jewish religion has been long-lost. Rather, it has become the elaborate parties that families engage in to outdo one another. Such as the case with this film. In addition to the obvious plot, we are subjected to an estranged relationship by a father's abandonment of his family 26 years before and his attempt to reestablish a relationship with his bitter son at the time of his grandson's Bar Mitzvah celebration. Nice seeing Richard Benjamin back in films after many years behind the camera. His role as the rabbi is brief but to the point. Gary Marshall steals the film as the grandfather and should be Oscar nominated in the supporting category. Doris Roberts, wonderful as always, plays the understanding grandmother. She is willing to admit that she was to blame as well for her husband abandoning the family years before. Ms. Roberts seems to be comfortable in Jewish related theme films as is evident by the television rendition of "The Diary of Anne Frank," the television film "Yiddish," with Harold Gould and the 1975 film "Hester Street" with Carol Kane. She is continuing down the path of the late Shelley Winters. A film for all which shows what religion should be all about.

The idea of young boy arriving at the age where he is considered a man is celebrated traditionally by Jews. In this age of consumerism, most 13 year old boys are given lavish feasts in which expense seems to be no object by parents that have the means to do so. The feasts evidently must have a theme. When we first meet the people in this mildly funny movie, they are in the middle of a bar mitzvah with a Titanic theme. We watch as the young boy arrives in a replica of a ship posing as Leonardo DeCaprio and even colliding with an iceberg. This party cost about half a million dollars to Arnie Stein, a Hollywood type that can well afford it. As Benjamin's own bar mitzvah approaches, his parents, Adam and Joanne Fiedler must make a decision about how big a party they want, and what theme will their son choose. Benjamin, who appears more grounded than his Hollywood agent's father, only wants to have his paternal grandfather, a person he has never met, at the party. Benjamin plays a trick by sending Irwin Fidler an invitation with a date of two weeks before the actual event. Little prepares him for the character his grandfather turns out to be. Irwin, who left his family when Adam at a young age, comes to town with his New Age-type girlfriend, who goes by the name of Saved Feather, to stay at his son's mansion. This brings back bad emotions Adam has kept bottled inside him. He can't forgive his father for what he, and his mother Rose, had to endure. The old man is a changed man and his love for his newly found family serves to get Adam's forgiveness. Scott Marshall, the director, who is the son of Garry Marshall, follows in his own father's foot steps and finds his way into this ethnic comedy that shows how people must compete with one another to show who is the one giving the best and most elaborate party, something that probably the children feel too overwhelmed, as it's the case with Benjamin. The film points out to basic problems in our society in which we must outdo our friends, and even our own family, in order to prove we are superior, or just to prove we have more money than they. Garry Marshall steals the show with his Irwin. Mr. Marshall knows comedy well and knows what buttons to press to put the audience in his pockets. Doris Roberts is tremendously appealing as Rose, the wife that has had to endure a lot after Irwin left her. Jeremy Piven and Jamie Gertz are perfect as the parents facing a dilemma about to go broke in order to keep up with the Steins. Daryl Sabara is an excellent actor who shows he knows what he is doing. Daryl Hannah has some good moments as the evolved New Ager. Larry Miller and Richard Benjamin are seen in supporting roles. Much has been said about this comedy as far as being targeted to Jews, but in our experience, not being Jewish, we found it speaks a universal language and people of other backgrounds will enjoy it as well.

I went to this movie not knowing what to expect. I in fact enjoyed it very much. It was hilarious. Even though it is about Jews you won't have to be one to laugh. There were only a few jokes that you'd need a background to understand. The movie is about a boy about to have a bar mitzvah and his internal struggles he goes through. It deals with the fact that sometimes traditions start being done just to do them without a thought about why they are being done. This is true of ALL kinds of traditions - religious, cultural, etc. Keeping Up With the Steins deals touches on that and the kid's father trying to out do his neighbors and prove he's doing better than those who failed him in his life. The actors were pretty descent - I absolutely love the short scene with Adam Goldberg. Daryl Sabara did a great job too. He's very adorable.

I am Jewish, and saw this with a Non-Jewish friend. Neither of us thought this was any good. I wasn't offended by any of the humor...there just wasn't any. It wasn't funny. Garry Marshall clearly must have called in a lot of favors to get this film made for his son, as we see Darryl Hannah, Richard Benjamin, and Neil Diamond being dragged into this eminently forgettable film. The plot was alternately clichéd and incredibly unrealistic. The only positives I'll give to this movie are: 1. Jami Gertz - Absolutely perfect as the Jewish mother. My friend's wife is exactly the same. 2. Former Penthouse/Playboy model Sandra Taylor is actually quite good in a supporting role as the "trophy" Mrs. Stein. She hasn't acted in awhile, and certainly not in a film like this. And she actually gets on the cover of the movie poster too! I doubt she's going to be the next Diane Lane, but I do think this role will deservedly give her career a shot in the arm.

It was refreshing to see a movie where a kid leads his family (with the help of his wayward grandpa) to care more about values than ostentatious display. His bar mitzvah really did become his coming of (religious) age ceremony, not just a preliminary to an over-the-top party. He learned to care more about being good than feeling good. Yes, there were stereotypes, and yes, I'd like it more if the family appeared to be more interested in their religion than just "getting their kid through" the ceremony. However, this movie did show the kid "Benjamin" as a dynamic character who did grow and change for the better. All bar and bat mitzvah students and their families should be required to view this movie prior to making any bar/bat mitzvah plans! Basically, there was no cussing, sex, or violence to mar this nice piece of family entertainment.