Membership
Wednesday, August 14, 2024
5:00 pm
Palm Springs Cultural Center - (Previously Camelot Theatres)
Synopsis: Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman) is a cantor who’s lost his voice, his faith, and his purpose following the sudden death of his novelist wife. His obtuse rabbi (Robert Smigel), his doting mother (Caroline Aaron) and his overeager stepmother (Dolly de Leon) are all very ready for him to snap out of it, maybe date a little, and re-engage with his community. But Ben, beset on all sides by miseries, large and small, is not convinced that his mothers’sneak-attack blind dates (while they hover nearby) is the way forward. After fleeing Shabbat services and re-listening to his dead wife’s voice messages, he half-heartedly attempts to throw himself under a semi-truck. The truck driver instead drops him off at a bar where drunk on mudslides, Ben confronts a loudmouth who knocks him flat. Carla (Carol Kane) helps him to his feet and gets him a proper drink. They discover they once knew each other: Carla was Ben’s music teacher in elementary school. Learning of his profession, Carla starts to pursue Ben for bat mitzvah lessons. He refuses. She refuses his refusal and strongarms him into teaching her. Where all the authority figures and institutions seem to leave Ben cold, it’s Carla who gives Ben a much-needed kick in the ass, inspiring him to reconnect with humanity while, simultaneously, he leads her to reconnect with her faith.
Film Society Members: Invitations will be sent out one week before the screening. You will need to first "Sign In" to your online member account (at top right corner of this page) before you will be able to reserve your tickets to this screening. Google Chrome is recommended, then refresh your page. If you are having trouble accessing tickets, or the RSVP tab says "There are no tickets currently available," please email filmsociety@psfilmfest.org for RSVP assistance.
Event Details
Date: Aug 14 5:00 p.m. - 7:00 p.m.   Palm Springs Cultural Center - Camelot Theatres |