“Bad Shabbos” & JFF Preview

Posted: January 29th, 2025 | Filed under: Cinema | No Comments »

As those enamored with “The Big Lebowski” know, Walter Sobchak “don’t roll on Shabbos.”

Others might not know Shabbos, that it is another arguably more immersive reverential for the Sabbath Day.

No, the cult classic is not a part of this year’s Jewish Film Festival.

But a truly cockamamie gem titled “Bad Shabbos” is.

Sobchak is shomer Shabbos.

He observes the rituals of sabbath.

So too, the upper West Side family in this film, headed by Ellen (Kyra Sedgwick) and Richard (David Paymer). Along with their three adult children.

So, what we have here — at the start anyway — is a traditional Friday night family dinner. A stop at Barney Greengrass on the way. Lighting of the candles. Brisket. Challah. Wine. Familial discomfort. Etc, etc.

Son David is engaged. To Meg. A shiksa, whose Catholic parents have flown in from Milwaukee to meet the future in-laws at dinner.

Youngest son Adam, is trying to find himself, training to join the IDF, he says. And doesn’t get along with sister Abby’s BF Benjamin.

The latter of which scenarios leads to an “accident.” One more serious than the brisket landing on the kitchen floor as it does.

Chaos ensues. Over under sideways down.

I won’t ruin it for you. Because this is a weird comedy to be seen.

OK, one more thing. Jordan the doorman for the condo is implored to help with the situation. At which time he invokes Harvey Keitel’s character The Wolf in “Pulp Fiction.”

Like I said, this one gets more than a bit crazy.

“Bad Shabbos” is but one of the features of this season’s Louisville Jewish Film Festival. It’s playing Saturday night February 8 at the JCC.

 * * * * *

It’s not the only lighter offering that is out of the ordinary.

There’s “The Milky Way,” described as a dystopian dark comedy. It is streaming with JFF ticket access and is about, oh, a woman who is taken to selling her breast milk to make ends meet.

There are a number of other movies, some streaming, some for viewing at various venues, some more serious, some not so much, some with lessons to be learned.

All worth considering in their own way.

You can see the whole schedule and get ticket info here. 

— c d kaplan

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