'King' in Chicago
Mr. Riegert:
Aitz Hayim is our shul in Highland Park, Illinois. This e-mail was posted early today to our entire membership, as was our reponse, below.
My mother, Ethel Safir, will be at the Maple Theater in Bloomfield, Michigan, to greet you on Friday. We enjoyed the movie and our brief visit with you yesterday. Thank you for both.
Zie g'zundt.
Lloyd H Weston
Buffalo Grove, Illinois
[email protected]
06/19/2005
*****
The movie, King of the Corner, is at the Renaissance Place Theater in Highland Park for a limited run. Some movies are overtly Jewish; some present Jewish sensibility in hidden ways. This extraordinary film combines both in an entertaining story that explores what Judaism can and does mean in the lives of three generations trying to be fully human yet stuck in their own limitations.
Peter Riegert, the Pickleman in Crossing Delancy, Eli Wallach, Isabella Rossellini, Rita Moreno and Dustin Hoffman’s son, Jake, all give poignant performances. What does it mean to deal with elderly parents and rebellious adolescents? What does it mean to be stuck in a job that is not gratifying? What are the actions and consequences that come from desperation? How does a community and tradition--our tradition, our community -- impact us?
On Saturday night, Peter Riegert, the star and director, spoke at the theater and lamented that a film like this does not seem to fit in expectations for a night at the movies. Roger Ebert thought it was well worth seeing. You will too. It is only scheduled to be here this week. On Father’s Day it is a present to the whole family. Any day this week it is well worthwhile. It is at 6:10 PM and 8:40 PM.
It came from a novel called Bad Jews. See this and you will understand how getting Torah at Sinai and the Golden Calf are the same story. If you were at Shavuot, you will truly appreciate this movie. If you weren't this is as good a replacement as it gets.
AITZ HAYIM CENTER FOR JEWISH LIVING
1788 Second Street, Suite 202, Highland Park, IL 60035
Phone: 847-266-1919 Fax: 847-266-1876
Website: www.AitzHayim.org
*****
Shalom & Happy Fathers Day to each and every abah!
We just saw this movie, "King of the Corner," with our 20-year-old daughter, Leia. Please don't miss it. You won't get another chance till it comes out on DVD in October.
The movie is rated "R" for the "F" word, but there is nothing in the movie you will be embarrased to explain to any kid in the 8th or 9th grade. In addition, Baubee and Zaidee will especially enjoy it.
Riegert is superb as the star of the movie, appearing in nearly every scene. Eli Wallach steals the show as his 85-year-old father. (Riegert says that Wallach is now actually 90 years old... but don't let that get around... he is still hoping to get roles for 80-year-olds.) And Rita Moreno is still very nice to look at.
Riegert also directs the movie, and co-wrote it with the author of an anthology of short stories, "Bad Jews and Other Stories." The word "bad" in this case means "non-observant" -- not wicked or evil.
Roger Ebert gave the movie 3 1/2 stars. If Roger was Jewish, he would have used his kop and given it a solid FOUR!
Lloyd and Linda Weston
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