KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS

US, 2004, 90 minutes, Colour.
Daryl Sabara, Jami Gertz, Jeremy Piven, Cheryl Hines, Larry Miller, Richard Benjamin, Britt Robertson, Doris Roberts, Daryl Hannah, Gary Marshall, Neil Diamond.
Directed by Scott Marshall.

Keeping up with the Steins is an amusing comedy, very American, very Jewish.

This is a film about a Bar Mitzvah and the rivalry in the celebration afterwards. The Steins have an expensive feast based on Titanic theme. Adam Fiedler, Jeremy Piven in a very effective frantic performance, is envious and wants the best for his own son, Benjamin, Daryl Sabara. His wife, Joanne, Jami Gertz, is much more sensible. Also at home is Adam’s mother, Rose, played by Doris Roberts.

There is a lot of discussion and planning about an elaborate Bar Mitzvah celebration with a baseball theme, presided over by Cheryl Hines as the event planner.

Complications arise when Benjamin invites his grandfather, Adam’s father, to come not only to the Bar Mitzvah, but changes the dates so that he comes earlier. He has been living on a native American reservation with his girlfriend, Sacred Feather, an engaging performance by Daryl Hannah, companion, nice, in touch with nature, vegan.

This means a lot of complications on a family level with Rose much more willing to forgive her former husband than will her son. Benjamin Bonds with his grandfather who comes to the rehearsals and has a good talk to the Rabbi, Richard Benjamin, persuading him to talk very personally with Benjamin about the ceremony.

Benjamin changes his mind about the baseball theme and the celebration is held at home, marred initially by the clash between Adam and his father, ending with a forced reconciliation at Benjamin’s wish.

The film was directed by Scott Marshall, Gary Marshall’s father – who puts his father through quite a few hoops in his performance here, including the swimming pool sequence.

1. An American comedy? Jewish comedy? Comical, satiric? The title and the rivalry?

2. Los Angeles, the neighbourhoods, Temple, the lessons from the rabbinic school, homes, the world of entrepreneurs, agents? Wealth? the big names and celebrities? The showbiz background?

3. The strong cast, comic talent?

4. Benjamin and his story? A quiet boy, awkward? His mother and her loving kindness? His father, his ambitions, work as an agent? Grandmother Rose? His friend, Zachary Stein, at school, in class, the girls, his awkwardness? The preparation for the Bar Mitzvah? His fears, his voice, unable to speak, the teacher and his encouragement? The visits from the Rabbi to the class?

5. The Stein Bar Mitzvah, Titanic, the extravagance, the boat, the organisation, the whole ambition of the Steins?

6. Adam and Joanne, Adam and his envy? Plans, the organiser, the pressures on Benjamin, his random choice of baseball, the consequent plans, celebrities, the field? His change of mind? The expense, his parents’ reactions?

7. At home, his mother ordinary and nice, Adam being driven, Rose and her presence, saying she wouldn’t intervene? Memories of the past, though Irwin abandoning them 27 years earlier, the effect? Rose’s memories? Adam’s resentments?

8. The invitations, Benjamin sending one to Irwin? His putting the wrong date for them to arrive early?

9. The introduction to oh when, to Sacred Feather, on the reservation, the teaching, lifestyle, nature, Sandy as a vegan? His crusty attitudes? Her niceness? The decision to go, the arrival, the different reactions, Adam and his hostility, Rose and her arrival back, surprise, welcoming? Joanne and her kindness? Benjamin, talking with his grandfather, going fishing, getting the seaweed, bonding? The trailer in the driveway?

10. Rose, reacting, her hug, the memories, saying the two were at fault, forgiveness, the meals, conversation? Irwin in the swimming pool and Adam’s reaction? His continually being rude to his father?

11. The lessons, Benjamin and his fear, the girls, the rehearsal, his grandfather attending, promising the pony to the girl for her presence? The discussion with the Rabbi, his being correct about the Rabbi becoming involved? The Rabbi and the very good talk with Benjamin?

12. The Bar Mitzvah at home, pleasant, the organiser, the ceremony, the music, apprehensions, Adam’s attitude? Success?

13. The showdown with Irwin, the argument, at the party, going into the pool? Benjamin wishing the two to reconcile?

14. The Steins at the Bar Mitzvah, their observations – with the touch of envy?

15. The satire, the parody – but hopeful?