Between the Temples

By Joanna Langfield

There’s something very winning about this comedy of faith. And that something is the chemistry between its two terrific stars, Jason Schwartzman and Carol Kane.

In one of his most accessible performances to date, Schwartzman plays Ben, a Cantor in a small town synagogue, who has lost his voice. Kane, his former elementary school music teacher, has some problems of her own. Once they reconnect, the relationship they develop may not feel traditional, but it does reform them both.

A swell collection of supporting players, including Robert Smigel and the underused Caroline Aaron and Dolly De Leon, surround the duo and sweetly add to the loving chaos of their world. Writer/director Nathan Silver lets the charm of all of them lead the way and, while he undoubtedly could have tightened things up a bit, theirs is not bad company for an hour and a half.

But it’s Schwartzman and Kane who make this thing sing. Individually and together, their work feels spontaneous and engaging. And, while the film itself aims for much higher goals (with a few hits and misses), just the fact that it gives the veteran Kane, who most of us first met with the glorious Jewish immigrant story, Hester Street (1975), a chance to remind us just how unique a talent she is, is reward enough.