Is Between The Temples, the new film starring Jason Schwarzman and Carol Kane, partially unscripted?  I have to say it felt that way, especially around the dinner table scenes and whenever our protagonists, Ben Gottlieb and Carla Kessler, are on-screen with just each other, injecting a pathos into this off-beat love story.

Cantor Ben has been emotionally and physically MIA for a while, after the sudden death of his beloved wife, an slightly off-kilter published author.  He’s also lost his ability to sing, and, frankly, would also prefer to be dead. He’s definitely having a crisis of faith.  He’s Temple Sinai's bar and bat mitzvah teacher, but, being unable to sing, is unable to properly prepare his students for their upcoming ceremonies.

His two moms, Meira (Caroline Aaron) and Judith (Dolly de Leon) are so much a part of their Temple, and donate so much money, that Rabbi Bruce (Robert Smigel) and the congregationists just accept the unconventionality of their relationship.  It’s really no surprise to the audience that Ben’s late wife was also extremely unconventional.  Nor is it surprising that Ben finds happiness in his unconventional relationship with Carla, a woman many years his senior, who, in fact, used to be little Benny’s grade school music teacher.  The developing relationship between Ben and Carla comes as a complete shock and surprise to everyone else.  The couple are surrounded by people who are most unconventional, yet these same people demand conventionality from others. 

Ben and Carla cross paths as adults when the two meet in a local bar.  Ben, who appears to be looking for a fight, finds one.  When he’s knocked to the floor, he’s helped to his feet by Carla.  Eventually they learn of their past connection.  Carla is also searching for some meaning in her life, yet finds joy in simple, everyday living.  Ben doesn’t even know what will help him fill the cavernous hole he’s in, yet he remembers a fondness he had for his former teacher, who “always gave (him) A’s”.  Carla responds, “Everyone got A’s”, making him immediately feel less special, but no matter. It's just another hit to Ben's deflated sense of self.

After spending some time together, Carla decides she wants Ben to give her bat mitzvah lessons.  Ben reluctantly agrees, since, really, he has little else worthwhile going on in his life.  Does he agree just because he knows the lessons will shock both his rabbi and Carla’s family?  Possibly.  

Throughout the film, Ben's moms keep pushing younger women on him, setting up blind dates, but Ben keeps avoiding each situation.  He’s searching for what, he’s not sure.  He just convinced he’ll never be happy again.  Even his boss, the rabbi, tries to foist his own single, very attractive daughter, Gaby, on him.  Had circumstances been different, had Carla not been in the picture, the families might have made a match.

When they announce their growing relationship to their respective families, both families are taken aback.  And it’s the conversations here which feel delightfully unscripted, perhaps because they feel so realistic in tone and inflection. Both families are judging, cajoling but ultimately, hoping for happiness for their relatives.  You don't have to be Jewish to appreciate the amusing family dynamics of Between The Temples. 

Lisa Blanck is the Associate Editor / Movie Reviewer for In Focus-Magazine.com and is a member of the Critics Association of Central Florida.  Her background includes 30+ years of digital editing for NBC and CBS News affiliates.  She also edits national promotional spots for Matter Of Fact, the #1 nationally syndicated news & information program.  For 30+ years she has covered the Florida Film Festival & the World Peace Film Festival, and has additional award-winning experience in advertising, marketing, promotions and live special events with MTV Networks.