![]() ![]() And it’s not in spite of his Judaism, it’s because of it. In every other movie of that decade he’s sweet, he’s nebbishy, he’s funny, but here he’s a total babe. Maybe even more important than his faith is how hot Ben Stiller is in this movie. This isn’t a talent contest, it’s a rite of passage … God knew your voice would change at this age … it’s a challenge.” He talks about struggling with faith, with identity, and how an essential part of Judaism is embracing that very struggle. ![]() Jake says, “You suck, but that’s OK, you’re supposed to suck. The poor boy is struggling to keep his aggressively pubescent voice on key, until he gives up saying that he sucks. He explores it in every d’var Torah (speech), in his conversations with Brian, and particularly well in a bar mitzvah lesson. However, unlike most on-screen Jewish characters, Jake’s faith isn’t something to overcome, a punchline, or flavoring. ![]() Which already sounds like every rabbinic student I’ve ever known. The first time we see Stiller as adult Jake, studying for semichah (rabbinic ordination), he immediately yells at his teacher, “I don’t want to listen to any of you!” and storms off. From name dropping JTS (Jewish Theological Seminary) and Rodeph Sholom (a Reform synagogue), to what it’s like to run into people from shul at the 68 th Street AMC, they make Jake’s identity more than just set dressing. The attention to detail shows their dedication to honestly portraying this community. The movie is a snapshot of life for Ashkenazi Jews on the Upper West Side in 2000. Our main character Jake ( Ben Stiller) is a hot young rabbi whose best friends are a hot young Catholic priest Brian (Ed Norton) and a hot young ambiguously gentile businesswoman Anna (Jenna Elfman). ![]()
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