THE OUTSIDE CHANCE OF MAXIMILIAN GLINK

Canada, 1988, 96 minutes, Colour.
Saul Rubinek, Jan Rubes, Noam Zylberman.
Directed by Allan A.Goldstein.

The Outside Chance of Maximilian Glink is a charmingly entertaining film. Produced by the National Board of Canada in collaboration with Canadian television, it is based on a popular novel about Jews in a Manitoba Canadian town.

The film is told from the point of young Maximilian Glink, about to have his Bar Mitzvah. He is played with great naturalness and charm by Noam Zylberman. The film captures the atmosphere of a Jewish community in Canada. Saul Rubinek, well-known for many American films as well as Canadian, is the traditional rabbi who really wants to be a stand-up comedian. The supporting cast are all very natural in their roles.

The film has an authentic atmosphere, plenty of Jewish humour, a point made about freedom from prejudice and, while keeping identity, not holding it against different groups. The film is an enjoyable lesson in humanity - communication of a strong message through enjoyable characters and situations.

1. An enjoyable film? Comic, humane, message?

2. Canadian production, small budget? The use of the actual town of Beausejours? Winnipeg? The atmosphere of the Canadian countryside, the small town, the seasons?

3. The importance of the musical score: the range of songs, the Jewish traditional music, the classics?

4. The title and its tone? Adaptation from a novel? Max's voice-over, the audience sharing his perspective? The perspective of a child, a Jewish child? His openness? Growing up?

5. The importance of the humour: jokes, stand-up comedy, tenderness, irony, Jewish humour? Delightful human humour?

6. Max and his life, the story about his birth, the circumcision - and the flashbacks? The family fussing over him? The humour about caring and interfering Jewish mothers? Jewish grandmothers? The patriarchal grandfather? The reticent father? Scenes in the home, meals? Talking to one another? The hopes for the Bar Mitzvah?

7. The Bar Mitzvah lessons, the rabbi, his death? The new rabbi and his arrival, shocking the committee? Praying in the open field and the snow? Max wary of him? Yet talking, easy friendship, jokes and stories, shared dreams and ambitions, the sharing of secrets? Preparation for the Bar Mitzvah?

8. Max getting a piano instead of a bike? His skilful playing, winning the competition? Rivalry with Cecilia? The backing of her family? The teacher and his lessons? His support - and the importance of his having an Asian wife and talking about openness? The duet with Cecelia, their practising? Sharing at school, friendship, the cinema, the kiss? the opposition from his family? Pretending to be sick and going for the preparation of the Christmas tree, his fight and his taking the angel, the rabbi finding him at the crib? His pulling out of the competition, Cecelia hurt and angry?

9. Themes of prejudice? The rabbi holding a wake for his daughter? Anti-Christmas? The points made about Jewish identity? Max giving the rabbi points for his speech about brotherhood? The examples of small-town prejudice, voting in groups? Highlighting antagonisms in the town? The clergy there in support of him?

10. Max and Cecelia going to Winnipeg, to hear Ferrante and Teischer? The rabbi meeting them, going to his friend's house, the enjoyment, the music? The effect on Cecilia? The return and the family angers?

11. Max on strike, yet eating when his family didn't? The worry about the Bar Mitzvah? His disillusionment with the rabbi?

12. The comic collage of speculation where the rabbi went? His ringing the music teacher? Max and Cecelia watching the television, his stand-up comedy, his jokes, the wink? The dreams fulfilled?

13. Max making his decision, playing the piano with Cecelia, the joy? The Bar Mitzvah and his speech? The rabbi from Winnipeg? The rabbi coming back as a stand-up comedian? The joy of the celebration afterwards? Reconciliations? Openness?

14. A gentle and humorous parable?