Between the Temples

Funny yet philosophical, Between The Temples will speak to any viewer who has felt stuck chasing someone else's expectations.

The remarkable thing about Silver's work is how many of the traps it avoids, reminding us how this kind of thing can be done well when it feels focused on character and truth instead of theme or message.

A wealth of contrasting stimulation gives the film a singular and intimate atmosphere, in which scenes can last little eternities while still leaving you feeling as if you're struggling to keep up with a stream of secrets and in-jokes.

The images, in turn, don't merely depict the drama but become integral to it, thanks to the cinematography of Sean Price Williams...

Playing somewhat like a much less dark Harold and Maude, Between the Temples is a bit slight, but brings with it a lot of sweetness, especially thanks to Schwartzman and Kane, and the chemistry they find together.

It's lovely to see Kane front and center on the big screen again, flexing her legendary comedy chops.

In this winningly chaotic comedy, you can almost feel the characters and filmmakers, as one, resisting order and pushing back against convention.

The real attraction here is the interplay between the two leads, which makes "Between the Temples" sing.

With both misery and comedy, director Nathan Silver satisfyingly captures the Jewish experience.

"Between the Temples" is not going to pretend that life or its characters know what they're doing and we are not going to get the satisfying resolution you might expect. Instead you will see an excellent cast play characters who try to find their way.

The movie is consistently funny, but its humor tends to be fairly gentle because it's rooted in human behavior rather than in condescending, judgmental ideas about such behavior.

Shot wanly on film in wintertime, Between the Temples takes a while to reveal its depths - its linguistic wit, its cockeyed humor and compassion, how it can modulate from deadpan-slapstick to achingly poignant and still feel authentic in both keys.

Both stars -- romantic leads with character actor cred -- have the power to be funny and heartbreaking simultaneously, and their unique chemistry drives the film's craziness and humanity.

"Between the Temples" emerges as a quirky and effective showcase for two actors known for playing oddball characters. Kane and Schwartzman bounce off each other so well that their work alone makes the film worth seeing.

Silver's ninth feature revels in capturing the alchemical, off-kilter chaos of oddballs in proximity; what makes it special has as much to do with the strange, spontaneous energies that fill the air between his characters as what it is they're saying.

The humor-sometimes acerbic, sometimes wacky-is integral to its worldview and exaggerated, stubborn characters.

There is something about watching people having a really really hard time which can be very very funny, and there's also a real sweetness at the center of its story.

Singing in its own key, there might not be a more authentic and purely entertaining film this year.

Director Nathan Silver's hopeful film demonstrates the adaptability of tradition, and the possibility of reconciliation and continuity across the generations.

Between the Temples is often funny, sometimes uncomfortable to watch, and, despite its flaws, quite moving.