Mendy

Mendy brought me in contact with a culture I knew very little about in a very modern way. Instead of following the typical introduction of a people through their rituals, the film actually deconstructs this culture via its main character. This unusual journey of a Hassidic Jew on the path of Western hedonism not only brings to light the sectarianism of such drastic religions, it also point the finger at the lack of spirituality (not religiosity) in the United States. By clashing these two worlds, Mr. Vardy has discovered what we could expect to be a controversial explosion. But far from simply contenting himself with the shock factor, the director finds the root of beautiful emotions, sincerity, loneliness, and therefore serves to us a palette of characters so sincere and touching that one cannot help but be carried into the story. Ivan Sandomire's acting is surprisingly dead-on for a newcomer and not once did I question the sincerity of his actions. Adam Vardy has tackled a difficult subject matter with tact and the result is worthy of the best festivals.

Hi, My name is Chani and I was at the movie "Mendy" last night.

I sat in the theater for a while after the credits rolled and then remained in a quiet space for some time in the car.

My friend asked me"Chani, What are you thinking..." To which I responded "I am not thinking, I am just feeling."

At that moment I remembered the part in the film where Bianca asks Mendy not to think only to feel and his total perplexed look. He had no idea what she was asking from him, he had never experienced that.

I was able to see some progress in my journey, reflecting that I was in a space where I could JUST FEEL and NOT THINK!!! Thank you for that.

The reality: I have watched many movies based on the Jewish Community that I come from, and yet there are always things (sometimes even only one thing) that could never have taken place.. something quiet not kosher. This movie IS ALL TRUE. Has happened to different people at different times. I know them, I AM ONE OF THEM.

I love the fact that it did not have a definite goal or point. It was a story of the Journey.. the hardship we face.. the reality that we have so few choices... the pain we take in becoming healthy individuals in a society that is so foreign from us, yet within miles of our life.

How many of us turn out to be Yanky, drunk, high and running constantly to the unknown, doing the illegal and finding no purpose. How even when we try to make love, we have no words for it. We do not know how to say it, to appreciate its beauty. We make those we treasure run from us due to our ignorance, our lack of social etiquette.

How very few of us find inner peace, inner joy and spirituality among the outside world.

How no matter how far we run, we carry in our bags our Tefillin, and in the most unexpected moments take them out and pray.

Having experienced some of the same issues as Mendy, I can tell you that this movie is very well done. It has a great script, and the actor who portrays Mendy is superb. Truly, some of the best acting I've ever seen. Also, too many movies portraying Jews look totally fake. This one is the closest to real that I've seen. This movie made me laugh and cry, and stirred my emotions better than a kitchen aid stirs a batter. It was so powerful that I can't bring myself to see it again. But I'm sure glad I watched it once. I would recommend it to anyone, no matter what your background is. It's a great movie that almost everyone can relate to on some level.

If you are a "big soul" yourself, and especially if Jewish and/or sufficiently well-read about Yiddishkeit (Jewish culture), you'll appreciate this telling about how Hashem brings a Hasid out into the big scary secular world to witness how the Neshama (Divine spark) manifests also in the many worlds outside Brooklyn. Our charming protagonist, well-played, grapples with certain questions and characters give simple – but not simplistic answers. In our language we would say this film is "Tam" (innocent) not "Chacham" (wise/clever) so don't expect a cerebral mind- bender. Hush and listen and this will reward you with low-budget production and homey charm. Perhaps G-d is in some Brazilian too? ;)

It's a little funny, the Yiddish makes it interesting, but a lot of silly comments and it sounds like bitter depressed person with a lot of issues wrote it up, very very bad ending, not a real ending to the movie.

It's very fake and not the real life in the Hasidic community, boys are smarter then this boy sounds, he knows how to take a train and get around the city and goes to clubs but cant buy himself a pair of jeans.

If you are not an orthodox Jew you will hate this movie, if you are an orthodox Jew you will find it a little funny and very stupid… The Yiddish speaking sounds very annoying it sound more like Russian Jews with bad Yiddish.

The education in the yeshivas from this movie sounds like these boys are told to study religion all day long I wonder how and why you see young Jewish boys who are very successful in business without any education