Movies

In exhausting ‘Bad Shabbos,’ cringe-comedy clichés are observed a little too faithfully

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As a movie enthusiast, I found “Bad Shabbos” to be an overworked comedy that heavily relies on elements from other more successful comedies such as “Meet the Parents,” “The Birdcage,” and “Weekend at Bernie’s.” Unfortunately, it fails to break free from its haphazard assembly of borrowed jokes and cliches. The film lacks originality and depth that could have been tolerated if it were genuinely funny. However, apart from a couple of unexpected chuckles, this bizarre tale about a Jewish family’s Shabbat dinner spiraling out of control left me with more rolling eyes and sighs of exasperation than I ever expected. (It’s worth noting that it won the Audience Award at the 2024 Tribeca Festival, so it seems to have its dedicated fanbase.)

This particular Friday evening finds a warmly contentious atmosphere at Ellen (Kyra Sedgwick) and Richard’s (David Paymer) Upper West Side Manhattan apartment. As usual, they will host their three grown children – David (Jon Bass), Abby (Milana Vayntrub), and the youngest, neurodivergent Adam (Theo Taplitz) – for their regular family dinner. But what makes this Friday night unique compared to all others?

To begin with, who do you think is visiting for a barbecue? It’s Catherine Curtin, playing a cheerful mom, and John Bedford Lloyd as a questionable dad, the parents of Adam’s Catholic fiancée Meg (Meghan Leathers). Arriving from Wisconsin, which they call “goyish,” they are about to meet their future in-laws. (One can imagine that Grandma Hall won’t be far off.) Adam is aware that his eccentric, boisterous — or Jewish — family might easily offend Meg’s parents, and he longs for a peaceful gathering. However, the odds of that happening are slim.

I must admit, there’s a certain intrigue about this scenario. Ellen, with her subtle disdain towards non-Jews, can be quite harsh even towards Meg who’s earnestly studying to convert. Add to that Abby’s bothersome boyfriend, Benjamin, who seems to have a knack for irritating the volatile Adam. Now, Adam’s chronic constipation and Benjamin’s diarrhea-inducing colitis might not just be a medical quirk but rather, one of many hints that things are about to take a dramatic turn for the worse.

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Quickly follows an unlikely incident that appears to be a staged accident in the bathroom, resulting in a deceased individual just as Meg’s parents are about to arrive. This unfortunate occurrence initiates a chaotic and absurd sequence of events involving a desperate attempt to conceal the truth. Despite the situation being something any reasonable person would report to the authorities, such action would eliminate the intrigue that forms the basis of the movie plot. Co-writers Zack Weiner and Daniel Robbins (with Robbins directing) fail to convincingly explain why the group chooses to hide the body so ineptly, making the death seem more like a hastily arranged plot device than a logical story development.

The movie might prove challenging and uncomfortable for some viewers, mirroring the characters’ struggles. However, one highlight is actor-rapper Cliff “Method Man” Smith’s charming portrayal of Jordan, the hip doorman who adores the Gelfands and eagerly assists them in their predicament. Notably, he humorously puts on a yarmulke and feigns being an Ethiopian Jew (a long-winded explanation). Unfortunately, the time constraint inserted to heighten tension during Jordan’s aid seems poorly executed.

The remaining actors strive to meet or surpass the situation’s demands, with Sedgwick delivering a commendable performance in her predominantly unrewarding role as the domineering Jewish mother. Leathers shines as David’s loyal fiancée, while Curtin brings charm to her portrayal of the sympathetic Midwestern mom. However, Paymer appears somewhat misplaced in his peculiar characterization of Richard, a self-help book enthusiast who seems out of place.

Since the movie is packed with fast-paced humor, it seems that the characters often feel like caricatures rather than believable individuals dealing with a genuine predicament. While it’s slapstick comedy, there should be an effort to make the characters more relatable so they can lead us on their hilarious escapade effectively. (Considering its running time of 81 minutes excluding credits, there was potential for further development.)

Specifically, Adam, who aspires to serve in the Israel Defense Forces, initially comes across as troubled and excessively extreme, yet his character seems to soften unnaturally over time. While the authors might have intended for dark humor, Ellen and Richard’s persistent excuses and indulgence towards their adult child with challenges could border on neglect, or at least poor parenting.

As the movie unfolds and begins to show its heartfelt moments – insights gained, wisdom shared – it comes a bit too late, leaving me feeling unsatisfied. Towards the end, when Ellen, clearly dismayed, comments on the group, “We’re all awful,” it’s hard for me not to concur.

Fundamentally, while the movie appears to have good intentions (Robbins himself stated it’s inspired by his personal New York Jewish background), its execution might leave something to be desired. If you’re interested in watching a comedic portrayal of a relationship between a Jewish man and a non-Jewish woman, it would be advisable to hold off until the next season of “Nobody Wants This” on Netflix.

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2025-06-06 21:01

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