Keeping Up With the Steins (2006)

typical bar mitzvah troubles

I bought this for my cousin in Paris who is planning her daughter's bat mitzvah and is having problems planning the party. Having the biggest and best party is the most important part of this celebration, it seems.

Dorothy Harper August 19, 2008

Cute for older Jewish adults

References to competing Bar Mitzvah efforts. Who can think of the most expensive, creative affairs. You have to be Jewish ro really appreciate this although Darryl Hannah is a nice distraction. I loved it (age 75) but my children and grandchildren were not impressed. June 21, 2008

One Funny Movie

As someone who entertains at Bar/Bat Mitzvahs, this movie is hysterical. It isn't really factual in many areas, but just a funny ride for those that are looking for a light comedy. February 13, 2008

"Shamu is Jewish?"

"Keeping Up With the Steins" is an amiable and very funny film comedy, which will bring back memories for anyone, who has gone through the Bar Mitzvah experience. For anyone who dosn't know, this is a Jewish coming-of-age ceremony in which a 13 year old, Jewish male, publicly reads from the Torah and is initiated into the religious community as an adult.It is traditional, that a "feast" or party usually follows in celebration of this accomplishment.

The movie is a very funny look at a dysfunctional Jewish family and one Bar Mitzvah boy's search for the true meaning of the ceremony, that he's about to partake in. In the film teenager, Ben Fiedler (Daryl Sabara) and his family attend the ridiculously ostentatious, "Titanic" movie themed, Bar Mitzvah party ("I'm king of the Haftorah!!") put on by the Steins. In a fit of envy Ben's father, Adam Fiedler (Jeremy Piven) a wealthy, Hollywood agent, starts making plans to rent out Dodger Stadium and hiring Neil Diamond to sing. All this attention, planning and fuss seems to make young Ben squirm with embarassment. He dosn't seem to really understand any of this. In hopes of stopping (or at least slowing down) his father's crazy plans, Ben secretely invites his Grandfather Irving (Garry Marshall), who has for years been estranged from the family. Irving, an eccentric character, shows up on the family doorstep (with a hippie girlfriend in tow) and starts to work his way into the family's life. More importantly he forms a bond with Ben and starts to nudge the young man into the direction of becoming his own man and finding out the true meaning of becoming Bar Mitzvah.

Director, Scott Marshall has created a really hilarious and sweet movie. This film could have very easily degenerated into nothing but stereotypes and gross caricatures. Instead Mark Zakirin's script presents a very funny, but touching look at a family, that has its problems. The parents really do care about their kid. The kid really is trying to understand, what all the fuss is about. This is a step above the usual dreck, when Hollywood tries to make film comedies about families.

The cast to this film is all around great. Daryl Sabara does an good job of protraying the befuddled feelings of a normal thirteen year old. Likewise, Jeremy Piven is over the top and great as the Hollywood agent/father. This isn't much of a stretch for him, since he's basically playing a sweetened version of his hilarious agent character, Ari Gold (found on the HBO series "Entourage"). Gary Marshall as the grandfather is basically doing the same shtick (yelling, screaming, sarcasm) he does in all his acting roles. Normally I'm not a big fan of his, but in this case, the character and his mannerisms actually work well. Finally kudos should go to Jamie Gertz as the understanding mom, Doris Roberts (of "Everyone Loves Raymond" fame) as the grandma and Daryl Hannah in an interesting turn as Grandpa Irving's hippie girlfriend. A wonderful cast and an smart, funny script make this an excellent movie! Highly recommended! January 7, 2008

Less really is more!

As a parent who is in the midst of planning a bat mitzvah and frustraited with those who plan gala extravaganzas this was a perfect movie for us. I found it compassionate, funny, poingant, and full of messages about what a families real priorites can and should be. Kudos to the director for putting in his dad (Gary Marshall) as the grand dad. He was wonderful and this movie touched everyone in my brood. I have passed this movie on to many of my friends who really enjoyed it, whether they were Jewish or not. July 24, 2007

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