Between the Temples 2024
Directed by
Nathan Silver
Made by
Fusion Entertainment
Plot Summary
Over a year after his wife, Ruth, died after slipping on a patch of ice, cantor Ben Gottlieb is suffering a crisis of faith, and is unable to sing. He moves back in with his mothers, Meira and Judith. After getting into a fight at a bar, Ben encounters Carla Kessler, who was his music teacher in elementary school. The next day, Carla comes to one of Ben’s classes for boys and girls preparing for their bar and bat mitzvahs. Carla says that she has always wanted a bat mitzvah, but she was a red diaper baby; her parents, who were communists, did not allow her to have a bat mitzvah when she turned 13. Ben agrees to teach Carla and gets a ceremony approved by Bruce, the synagogue’s rabbi.
As they become friendly, Ben brings a tape of his own bar mitzvah to Carla’s house to watch on her VCR. Carla’s friend accidentally gives drugged tea to Ben and Carla, and Ben hallucinates interactions with his younger self. Carla lets him sleep in her son Nat’s bed. Ben has been suffering from insomnia since Ruth’s death, but he sleeps comfortably in Nat’s bed. Nat and his family visit the next day. The family and Ben go out to dinner, but when Carla announces her intention to have a bat mitzvah, Nat objects. He explains that he is a wholesale atheist, and thus he objects to any of his other family members participating in the bat mitzvah, although his wife and two young daughters are supportive of Carla and express interest in helping her.
Judith and Meira have been trying to set up Ben with women, preferably Jewish. These include Bruce’s daughter, Gabby, who reads a book Ruth wrote and is excited by its sexual nature. She meets Ben near Ruth’s grave and professes her attraction to him; they subsequently have sex.
Carla has a stroke. Nat does not visit her in the hospital, but Ben does. Ben presses Bruce to move Carla’s ceremony up to the upcoming weekend. In anticipation of the ceremony, Ben invites Carla to the Gottliebs’ Shabbat meal; Bruce, his wife, and Gabby also attend the meal.
At the Shabbat meal, Ben announces that he is in love with Carla. Gabby begins crying uncontrollably. As Bruce and Judith lambast Ben, Carla flees and Meira encourages Ben to go after her. Ben does, but slips on ice and injures his head outside Carla’s house. Carla takes Ben inside and treats his wound. He stays at her house that night. Recalling Carla’s memory that the first bat mitzvah was performed in 1926 in a home, Ben performs the ceremony the next day in the backyard of Carla’s house, and sings with her while she chants her Torah reading.
Timeline
Ruth's Death
Musical cantor Ben Gottlieb experiences the tragic loss of his wife, Ruth, after she slips on a patch of ice. This event triggers a profound crisis of faith for Ben, leaving him unable to sing and struggling to cope with his grief.
Moving Back Home
Following Ruth's death, Ben decides to move back in with his mothers, Meira and Judith, seeking comfort and support. Living with his family, he tries to piece his life back together amidst his lingering sorrow.
Meeting Carla Kessler
In a chance encounter at a bar after a fight, Ben reconnects with Carla Kessler, who was his music teacher during his childhood. This meeting marks the beginning of an evolving relationship as they delve into their past lives.
Carla's Bat Mitzvah Wish
Carla expresses to Ben her long-held desire to have a bat mitzvah, which she was denied as a child by her communist parents. Ben, touched by her story, agrees to teach her and seeks approval for the ceremony from rabbi Bruce.
Bonding Over Memories
Ben brings a tape of his bar mitzvah to Carla's house to share fond memories. They enjoy watching it together, deepening their bond as he reflects on his own upbringing and their shared cultural heritage.
Drugged Tea Incident
While at Carla's home, Ben and Carla mistakenly consume drugged tea offered by Carla's friend. This leads Ben to hallucinate and interact with his younger self, further stirring emotions about his past.
Comfort in Nat's Bed
After the tea incident, Carla lets Ben sleep in her son Nat's bed where he finds comfort and finally manages to get some restful sleep. This moment signifies a turning point in Ben's healing process following his wife's death.
Family Dinner & Tensions
Nat's family visits the next day for dinner, but tension rises when Nat objects to Carla’s decision to have a bat mitzvah. He declares his atheism, causing a divide between supportive family members and those opposing the ceremony.
Judith and Meira's Attempts
Ben's mothers, Judith and Meira, try setting him up with women, including Bruce's daughter Gabby. Gabby's attraction to Ben is revealed when she expresses her interest after reading a provocative book written by Ruth, leading to a brief romantic encounter.
Carla's Stroke
Carla suffers a stroke, which deeply impacts Ben. Although Nat chooses not to visit her in the hospital, Ben shows his support and dedication by attending her bedside, further strengthening their bond.
Rushing the Bat Mitzvah
Despite the complications, Ben pushes rabbi Bruce to expedite Carla's bat mitzvah ceremony to that upcoming weekend. This urgency reflects his commitment to Carla and the significance of the event for her.
Shabbat Meal Invitation
In preparation for Carla's ceremony, Ben invites her over for a Shabbat meal with his family. The gathering includes rabbi Bruce, his wife, and Gabby, highlighting the blend of support and tension among the characters.
Confession of Love
During the Shabbat meal, Ben confesses his feelings for Carla, leading to a dramatic reaction from the attendees. Gabby breaks down in tears, and amidst the ensuing chaos, Carla feels overwhelmed and escapes the scene.
Injury on Ice
After the meal, Ben slips on ice while pursuing Carla outside her house, injuring his head. This incident illustrates his desperation and drive to connect with Carla, marking a significant and vulnerable moment.
Performing the Bat Mitzvah
Recalling an important detail about the history of bat mitzvahs, Ben performs the ceremony for Carla in her backyard. With a newfound sense of purpose, he sings alongside her as she chants her Torah reading, bringing closure and joy to their journey.
Characters
Ben Gottlieb (Jason Schwartzman)
Ben is a cantor struggling to regain his faith and voice after the death of his wife, Ruth. His character embodies vulnerability and a deep yearning for reconnection, as he navigates personal loss while seeking meaning in his cultural heritage.
Carla Kessler (Carol Kane)
Carla is Ben's former music teacher who, in her adult life, seeks to have the bat mitzvah she missed in her youth. Her character represents resilience and the quest for self-identity, as she embraces her Jewish roots later in life.
Nat (Matthew Shear)
Nat is Carla's son who embodies modern skepticism toward religious practices. His views create tension as he opposes his mother’s desire for a bat mitzvah, reflecting themes of generational differences and the struggle with faith.
Bruce (Robert Smigel)
Bruce is the synagogue's rabbi who facilitates Carla's ceremonial aspirations while navigating the complexities of his own family's connections to faith. His character highlights the challenges faced by religious leaders in contemporary moral landscapes.
Setting
Time period
Present day
The events of the film take place in contemporary times, focusing on the personal struggles and cultural practices relevant to modern Jewish life. Issues such as faith, identity, and the importance of ritual are explored in this setting.
Location
Carla's home, synagogue
Carla's home serves as a key setting where pivotal moments unfold, including the preparation for her long-desired bat mitzvah. The synagogue stands as a cultural and spiritual hub for the characters, representing tradition and the community that supports them.
Themes
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Grief
The theme of grief permeates the narrative as Ben grapples with the loss of his wife, Ruth. His inability to sing symbolizes the deep void left by her absence, while his interactions with others reflect his ongoing struggles to find closure and meaning.
🎤
Identity
Identity is a prominent theme, particularly through Carla's journey in claiming her bat mitzvah. This rite of passage becomes a means for both her and Ben to explore their spiritual identities and reconcile with their past traumas.
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Rediscovery
The film reflects the theme of rediscovery as Ben reconnects with music and community against the backdrop of personal loss. His relationship with Carla leads him to confront his past and embrace new possibilities, showcasing the transformative power of human connection.
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