Between the Temples, a new film by director Nathan Silver manages to be extremely awkward at times, while also managing to be darkly funny. If you’ve seen Harold and Maude or Hello, My Name is Doris and liked either, then this film may tickle a similar sense of humor. There is an immense sadness that emanates from the film initially, but also present is an optimistic outlook that slowly creeps in as well.
Ben (Jason Schwartzman) is a canter who currently can’t find the will to sing as a result of a rough patch. His mothers are determined to find him a new love, but things become more complicated when his grade school music teacher, Carla (Carol Kane), becomes his new bat mitzvah student.
Schwartzman was designed to play this type of character: a sad sack with enough hostility buried underneath the depression to frequently stand up for himself. His snark knows no limits, and he makes even some of the darkest moments a little bit too funny. There is a scene early on that will determine if the audience is synced to this film’s comedic wavelength. He lies down on a dark road, and his reaction to the first vehicle that arrives establishes all we need to know. For me, I laughed and buckled up for a ride.
Kane is also incredible as the counter to Schwartzman. She talks incessantly in scenes, often over-explaining things and making awkward situations even more so. The two have great chemistry, which really helps to elevate the material.
Several scenes depict that awkwardness, but none more than the third act. It’s not uncommon for a movie to fail to stick the landing, but this one does it in a memorable fashion. Every ounce of tension that had been built up comes together in the final dinner sequence, and all of the anxiety and comedy collide. It’s like looking at the sun during an eclipse – we know we shouldn’t, but we are transfixed despite the pain in the back of our heads.
What makes this film stand out isn’t just the humor, the great performances, or the overall vintage aesthetic from director of photography, Sean Price Williams – it’s the very existential nature at the center of it all. Each of the elements work because there is substance at the film’s core. Ben’s tough time is making him question everything that beforehand seemed like a given. His faith is in peril. His purpose for going on is in jeopardy. He is at war with so many elements of himself that he can’t even take joy in the thing he has clearly always been good at; singing. These pieces will help the story to resonate.
Between the Temples was a pleasant surprise of a film that I’d not even known existed. Schwartzman has long been a favorite of mine going all the way back to his debut in Rushmore. In some ways, this film feels like a spiritual sequel to that, and one could easily picture Max in the position of Ben. If you enjoy dark humor wrapped around a sincere story, then you’ll enjoy this.
Between the Temples will be in theaters on August 23.
Rating: 4.5/5
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