Overdone cringe-comedic tropes are recurrently followed in the film 'Bad Shabbos'
Title: A Bumpy Shabbat: The Unraveling of a Jewish Family Dinner
Stir up a storm of laughter with 'Bad Shabbos,' a lively comedy about a chaotic and humorous night during a Friday Shabbat dinner gone terribly awry.
Ever wonder what happens when a Jewish family gathers for dinner, and things go sideways? Take a seat and experience the madness – and laughter – that ensues in "Bad Shabbos," a colorful 2024 comedy. Set in an Upper West Side Manhattan apartment, the scene is an ordinary Friday night dinner, but boasts an extraordinary collection of guests, all of whom contribute to a night of mayhem where tradition meets disaster.
Our heroes are the long-married couple Ellen (Kyra Sedgwick) and Richard (David Paymer), their three adult children: anxious David (Jon Bass), put-upon Abby (Milana Vayntrub), and younger, neurodivergent Adam (Theo Taplitz), and a semblance of an ordinary gathering would be satisfying, were it not for the pending arrival of Adam's Catholic fiancée Meg (Meghan Leathers) and her parents from the somewhat less cultured Wisconsin countryside.
Eager to impress, young Adam knows that his loudmouthed family and questionable antics could easily alienate his future in-laws. And he's right to worry, as tension simmers from the moment the guests arrive. A few dashes of Ellen's barely veiled disdain for non-Jews, a pinch of Abby's obnoxious boyfriend's (Ashley Zukerman) antagonistic streak, and a generous helping of neurodivergent nerves make a recipe for catastrophe.
As if on cue, an improbable accident snuffs the life of one guest before Meg's parents arrive, sending the evening into a desperate downward spiral. The predictable chaos that follows includes absurd cover-ups, random mishaps, and plenty of ridiculous situations that test the limits of any sane person's patience.
While some viewers may find the film as painful and awkward to watch as its characters, there are moments of levity. Actor-rapper Cliff "Method Man" Smith gleefully plays Jordan, the doorman who bears a soft spot for the craziness surrounding the Gelfand family. His amusing performance, which includes impersonating an Ethiopian Jew in a long-winded story, serves as a breath of fresh air amidst the turmoil.
The rest of the cast attempts to elevate the mediocre material. Sedgwick is solid as the controlling Jewish mother, while Leathers shines as David's eager and devoted bride-to-be. However, Paymer seems lost in his peculiar characterization as the bewildered Richard, who seems to stray from the stereotypical Jewish father archetype.
Overall, "Bad Shabbos" veers wildly between hilarity and cringe-worthy moments as the film clumsily tried to tackle important themes like family dynamics, cultural blending, and the human response to unexpected tragedy. Aiming for the chaotic energy of classic comedies like "Meet the Parents" or "The Birdcage," unfortunately, the film falls short and feels more like a quagmire of stale and predictable gags masquerading as fresh humor.
Yet, its heart may be in the right place, as the film is inspired by the co-writers' (Zack Weiner and Daniel Robbins) own New York Jewish roots. Nevertheless, "Bad Shabbos" will leave you asking if this really was worth the effort. Alternatively, if you're craving humor wrapped in Jewish traditions, catch the Netflix series "Nobody Wants This."
'Bad Shabbos'
Not ratedRunning time: 1 hour, 24 minutesPlaying: Laemmle Royal, West Los Angeles; Laemmle Town Center, Encino; AMC Orange 30. Opens June 13, Laemmle Glendale.
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Footnotes:[1] Kyra Sedgwick, David Paymer, Jon Bass, Milana Vayntrub, Theo Taplitz, Meghan Leathers, Catherine Curtin, John Bedford Lloyd, Ashley Zukerman and Cliff "Method Man" Smith star in the film.[2] The film Borrows elements from movies like "Meet the Parents," "The Birdcage," "Weekend at Bernie’s" and others to create its chaotic and absurd narrative.[3] Robbins directed the film and wrote it along with co-writer Zack Weiner.[4] The movie centers around a Jewish family’s Shabbat dinner that goes awry due to mishaps and a death.[5] The humor in the film revolves around the family’s chaotic response to the death and its effects on the evening’s proceedings.
- "Bad Shabbos," set in Los Angeles, is a 2024 comedy about a Jewish family dinner that takes humor from the entertainment industry, with elements reminiscent of movies like "Meet the Parents" and "The Birdcage."
- The film, playing in various California theaters, including Laemmle Royal in West Los Angeles and AMC Orange 30, shares similarities with films like "Weekend at Bernie’s," where tradition and disaster intertwine in an Upper West Side Manhattan apartment.
- The government unwittingly ends up playing a role in the narrative, as the story unfolds amidst the backdrop of business and Hollywood, emblematic of California's entertainment hub, Los Angeles.
- Outside of the chaotic family dynamics displayed in the film, the government-cheese-themed TV series "Nobody Wants This" offers a different take on Jewish traditions and comedy, available for streaming on Apple TV+.
