HOLY ROLLERS

US, 2010, 89 minutes, Colour.
Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha, Ari Graynor, Danny A. Abeckaser, Mark Ivanir.
Directed by Kevin Asch.

Holy Rollers tends to be a phrase used for Christian denominations. This film is about the New York City Jewish community, tending to be an enclosed community, homes, rabbinic schools, synagogues, marrying within the community, working in the city in traditional industries.

The film opens in 1998 and is said to be based on a true story. The focus is on a young man, played with his usual intensity by Jesse Eisenberg, who seems destined to fulfilment within this community but who seems to have a lack of faith, or a lack of interest in the community and in religion. However, he wants to be true to his father, but has to conceal the reality of his life and his criminality – to the disappointment of his father.

The young man is tempted by a friend to do a trip to Amsterdam and back, importing ecstasy pills, on the pretext that they are medication for wealthy people. They succeed so well that he becomes not only a courier but also an organiser of other young Jewish couriers. In the meantime, he has discovered a world that he did not suspect, a world of sex and sexuality, drinking, drugs, and an avaricious building up of money.

Justin Bartha is the friend who leads him astray, succumbing to his own plans, decadence, to a kind of madness. Ultimately, the young man has to make a decision, is desperate, and, after his arrest, he and the other couriers become informants for the government, but the young man and some others sentenced to prison.

1. Based on a true story? The Jewish community in New York City? The drug world? Importation of ecstasy and distribution?

2. The New York City setting, the homes, synagogue, the streets, shops? The world of the drug dealers? Authentic feel? Musical score?

3. The focus on the Gold family, the parents, orthodox, synagogue attendance, the men and their hair and locks, at home, parents, the younger members of the family? Shmuel/Sam and his place amongst them? The earnestness of the father, his prayer and study, his supervision of his son?

4. Sam, his age, the orthodox rituals, his going to rabbinic school, the quotations from the Scriptures, the influence of the Rabbi, the influence of his father? The planned marriage? His feeling trapped? His not having a deep religious sense? And susceptible to influence?

5. Yosef, Jewish, his background, and involvement in the drug importation, his decision to invite Sam and Leon, the pretence that it was legitimate?

6. The first trip, Sam and his realising the truth, rationalising? Leon, nervous, knowing the truth, opting out? The easy way of going to Amsterdam, Yosef and his connections, the dealers? The return trip, the replies for customs, the orthodox Jews being let through more easily?

7. The world of the dealers, Jackie and the others, the clubs, Rachel, introducing Sam to an entirely different world, the contrast with his work in his father’s store, his expertise on fabrics, dealing with customers, but the interest in money – and the family’s discussion about making money?

8. Leon, moving out, his marrying the girl, the encounter with Sam at the end, sense of desperation?

9. The various trips to Amsterdam? Meeting the thugs? Sam and his using his intelligence about money deals, about investigations? His being trusted? Jackie and his liking Sam, the reminders of the Jewish tradition, Sabbath – and his phone calls to his mother?

10. Sam being introduced to alcohol, his drinking, on the plans? His eventually cutting his locks? Rachel and her being seductive, liking him? The kiss, his response? His lying to his family? Lying to the Rabbi? His father’s disappointment, ousting him?

11. Sam and his prospects within the community, religious, Rabbi, marrying into the community – and his conversations with his prospective bride?

12. Yosef, his moral collapse, trying to reassure Sam? Sam and his going to Leon, the collapse?

13. The information at the end, the Jewish students as couriers and then becoming informants for the government? The prison sentences? Seeing Sam and his discussions, in prison, at the end?

14. How interesting a glimpse into Jewish community and Jewish life? The credibility of the story, the importation of ecstasy in such numbers? The penalties?