Suzie Gold

I was very tempted to give it 1 star, but since I remember smiling once or twice during this alleged comedy, I thought I'd be lenient. There were one or two meaningful observations in this film (like the little brother who smoked marijuana and thought he was a gangster), but on the whole, the portrayal of north London Jewish life had no depth whatsoever. The script sounded as though it had been written by a fourteen year old for a religious studies assignment. I cringe when I think back to the scene in which they're having shabbat dinner at the start of the film, having one of the most contrived, would-never-sound-like-that-in-real-life debates. I won't even begin to go into the appalling chemistry between suzie and her apparent soulmate, or the pathetic caricatures that were her parents and friends. This film was full of stereotypes but had none of the warmth and likability that you had in my big fat Greek wedding, which was itself not lacking in stereotyping. Simplifying characters and family dynamics only works when there's an underlying truth, warmth and sincerity to it. Suzie Gold contained all the negative and un-insightful stereotypes of Jewish life but was too simply and narrowly conceived to portray the fundamental redeeming features of the Jewish family that have been able to sustain it. The love, warmth, and well-intentioned overbearingness of my big fat Greek wedding, that made it so enjoyable, were sorely missing from suzie gold.

_Suzie Gold_ takes the first act from _Fiddler on the Roof_, stirs in a little _Pride and Prejudice_, and tries to update this blend for 2004. While the Jewish traditions, and anxieties, have survived intact into the new millennium, the chief innovation for the young seems to be four-letter words. And while the plot revolves around the dilemma of "marrying out" (outside of the Jewish faith), it isn't clear why any of these nice Jewish girls should care about marriage, since they all are ready to sleep with their boyfriends, whether likable or not. This ribald caricature will prevent this film from matching the wide popularity of _Greek Wedding_, which is too bad.

If you can overlook these contradictions, the portrayals are charming, the ladies handsome, and the ancient faith is shown to be alive and well. Mom, Dad, and Grandma all come through for the perplexed little Suzie, although she does what she wants instead of what they would think she ought. Suzie's father is such a warm and wise fellow, that he could singlehandedly carry the story, and he indeed must ultimately make the right call for his little girl. The film is entertaining, but not because anything is really resolved in the end (and the plot is as old as storytelling itself), but rather because the people and events are fun to watch, and a few are worth emulating.

This is quite an entertaining little film, very much in the vein of 'My Big Fat Greek Wedding'. Like that hit movie, it deals with family and cultural expectations when it comes to marriage. Summer Phoenix stars as Suzie Gold, a true romantic who wants to marry for love rather than prestige.

I laughed a lot at the start of the film. A fine ensemble cast includes Miriam Karlin, Frances Barber and Stanley Townsend.

What lets the film down, in my opinion, is the total lack of chemistry between Ms Phoenix and Leo Gregory as Darren, the love of Suzie's life. You just don't believe that these two are crazy about each other which is a shame as it's otherwise quite fun.

Happened upon this film late one night on the TV, when I might have been a tad pickled. I wasn't expecting too much but I thought I would give it 20 minutes or so before retiring to bed. Before I knew it, I was hooked, I was genuinely interested in what was going to happen to the main characters. Granted, it was riddled with stereotypes and clichés but enjoyable all the same. There was a time when I would never have showed my emotions openly but I cried three times during this film. I found it to be a sympathetic portrayal of the difficulties of living and working in a multicultural society when your parents, their parents and your 'community' expect you to behave in a certain way and to follow a path that does not deviate from the norm. I found redeeming features in all of the characters and although the film poked fun at some of their habits and actions, I thought it was done with affection rather than malice.

I actually quite liked this film. It wasn't so over the top like "My big fat Greek wedding" a little less subtle in its approach . Yes, there are some stereotypes, but they keep the audience engaged and interested.

Summer Phoenixs' performance as the title character is incredibly impressive. Her accent is believable and she manages to pull of a few laughs as her character does, at times, make a fool of herself. This lovelorn character narrates the film connecting her even more with the audience and explaining some of the Jewish rituals.

A enjoyable film, even for those who aren't Jewish.

4/5 stars