Bad Shabbos

I had the absolute pleasure of seeing Bad Shabbos last night! What a delightful comedy! The ensemble cast is extremely talented. The humor in this movie can be appreciated by everyone. It transverses all religions and ethnicities. You only need to have a family to be able to relate. An additional treat to the evening, was getting to meet the director of this outstanding movie, Daniel Robbins. He's incredibly charming and humble! I don't think he realizes how gifted he is! He's quite approachable, warm and grateful for the positive response to his work. It is so promising to see a director of his caliber emerging. I will be on board to see all of his future movies.

Bad Shabbos has a plot that is so preposterous that it boggles the mind. Of course, if you are willing to check your brain at the door and accept this premise then this movie might be for you.

Of course, the acting is better than the dialogue that is written for these poor actors.

Be prepared for ridiculous, slapstick, and highly improbable events to happen.

I'm glad it was only an 80 minute film because it as difficult to sit through be he movie as it was.

I was so looking forward to some good laughs , but it just was not funny.

Why take a chance on liking a movie when you should enjoy your theater experience.

This film is a must see! A perfect ensemble cast film that flows seamlessly. All of the actors are top notch and compliment each other perfectly. No one steals the show but Method Man has some great scene stealers. Kyra Sedgwick was the perfect ying to David Paymer's Yang. Milana Vayntrub is on her way to stardom after this film. She is so funny.

The directing is perfect. Very much has a Mike Nichols/woody Allen feel. An amazing well written script and screenplay. This is a perfect movie for an audience viewing. The audience at Tribeca laughed out loud non-stop. It is also a great story about family and what it means to be family. Considering all the other movies out there, this has to rank as one of the best comedies to come out in years!

This film has a cute premise and some funny moments but lacks tighter editing, directing and dialogue. As a result it's a bit of mess, with a claustrophobic set that exacerbates the tension without heightening it. The family dynamic is mundane where it should be more explosive and at times the plot nearly falls apart because of it. The acting is so-so but I really blame it on the script.

As a minor flaw, the portrayal of sabbath had convenient inconsistencies; if you can't drive or use the phone, why are there lights, music blasting and cooking? I'm not an expert, though I mention it because it seems like the whole weight of it being a big sabbath dinner might have had more impact if the rules were more strictly adhered to.

If, like me, you are a fan of actress Milana Vayntrub ('Lillie' the salesperson in AT&T commercials), you can spend 84 minutes with her in the new film 'Bad Shabbos'. If you are not a fan and have no interest in becoming a fan, I can see no reason to spend even a second on this mess of a movie.

The film plays on the old set-up of two young people of different faiths falling in love and planning a wedding. But first their parents have to meet and well, you know the hilarity that that worn out situation breeds. Well that's pretty much it, except for one thing; prior to the parents meeting for a Jewish Sabbath (Shabbos) dinner, one of the guests suddenly dies. In truth he's killed, perhaps by accident (not that it matters) with the hilarious (not) hi-jinx of Jews and Catholics at dinner impacted by the dead-man's body in the bathroom. Bad stuff.

The always reliable David Paymer plays the Jewish head of household, with the charming Kyra Sedgwick less than convincing as a shrew of a Jewish mother. As for Milana Vayntrub, she's the not so awful Jewish daughter in his truly awful family.

Did I say 'Bad stuff'? Well, it's worth saying it again. Bad Stuff.