The Tollbooth 2006

As Sarabeth (Marla Sokoloff) embarks on a journey through the relentless streets of New York City, she finds herself freshly graduated from art school, equipped with a sharp wit and an adventurous spirit. Torn between her love for art and the mounting pressure of her family’s expectations, Sarabeth feels increasingly trapped. Her mother is a relentless source of nagging, while her father, well-meaning but somewhat bewildered, confuses pretentiousness with profound insights. To add to her turmoil, her sisters are each on their own unique paths: one embraces the joys of motherhood with her unexciting yet endearing husband, while the other shockingly reveals her same-sex orientation at the least appropriate time during their Rosh Hashanah dinner.

In the midst of this familial chaos, her boyfriend Simon (Rob McElhenney) makes the decision to retreat from the pulsating energy of the city, opting instead for a quieter suburban life, complete with a high-tech sound system that amplifies the emotional void growing between them.

As Sarabeth wrestles with the conflicting demands placed upon her, she seeks refuge in her art, transforming her feelings into vibrant expressions on canvas. However, her artistic sanctuary is continually overshadowed by the haunting legacy of her family’s tragic history—the enduring echoes of relatives lost to the Holocaust, the heavy burdens of Jewish tradition, and painful recollections of synagogue visits that deepen her isolation.

The turning point arrives during a casual 4th of July barbecue, where Sarabeth overhears a callous comment dripping with anti-Semitic undertones. This insensitive remark propels her into a fierce moment of clarity; she recognizes that she will not allow the opinions of the crowd to dictate her identity nor undermine her heritage. Empowered by this revelation, Sarabeth begins to carve a path that honors both her artistic aspirations and her rich Jewish roots, all while deftly navigating the intricate web of love, family, and self-discovery in a city that pulses with life.