Some gay/lesbian writers who are also Jewish have described themselves as being twice blessed, referring to their dual outsider status and the energy that has brought to their art and lives.
In Such Great Joy the only blessing is the truncated and incorrect prayer over the wine. The first of the twists and turns that would choke a feature film much less a 14 minute short is the opening in which a young man and woman appear to be buying an engagement ring. The privileged audience understands he is not buying the ring for her, but the aunt who sees them misunderstands (and inexplicably, the young woman does not clarify or at least keep her from jumping to the wrong conclusion.) Later that evening, the young woman brings her girl friend home for Sabbath dinner, intending to announce in one breath not only that she is gay but also that she is engaged to Christina, her obviously non-Jewish girlfriend. When "coming out" stories constitute a major story line for so many of the LOGO films, how likely is it that with the first mention of her sexuality, the Jewish daughter Megan(!) will also announce her engagement, and to a non-Jewish girl! But this unrealistic plot element is both necessary for Michelle Kramer's storytelling, and unfortunately, but another of the contrived misunderstandings and pratfalls that include a surprise engagement party, the belief that the young woman is pregnant, and a fight that brings the door down to reveal the two lovers in bed.
But what struck me above all, is that except for the confused old aunt, this was the most non-Jewish family and Sabbath meal I have ever witnessed. There is not the slightest sense of ethnicity in either looks or behavior (though there might have been an "oy"), and the very sympathetic and insightful father, in fact, turns out to have been non-Jewish though he is given a Hebrew word or two for the sake of verisimilitude. And yet Kramer insists on the Jewish significance, with the daughter reassuring her girl friend that she would be handling all the prayers, with the example of the mixed marriage of her parents to assure acceptance, and with the aunt's voice over the credits expressing the hope that Christina would hopefully convert.
So those viewers who enjoy Gothic convolutions and fairy tale resolutions will no doubt feel blessed. I, for one, would have liked a grain or two of authenticity to flavor this rather flat family dinner. Friday nights deserve richer meals and brighter lights.
