Every once in a great moon Hashem (the Jewish God) decides to create an unholy union. Sometimes, this unholy union results in something horrific (ex. me being born), and sometimes this union results in something joyfully unexpected. This is the case of Breaking Upwards.
Breaking Upwards (2009) is the story of a young, hip, Jewish couple living in Jew York City. The setting and plot is something that Woody Allen would give a raunchy smile and wink towards. The plot is that a couple has been having some relationship issues, after being with each other for too many years. What novel way will they solve this age-old problem?
Only the best way. The two of them decide to have ‘off-days’ in their relationship, where they don’t see each other, don’t really speak to each other, but are free to plow other people. And no, of course they won’t get jealous (NOT).
Anyone can tell that this plan is gonna go to hell in a handbag. But while it does we get some solid acting from some Jewish, sexy, indie actors. Zoe Lister Jones (definite JILF material, recently in Salt & The Other Guys) acts alongside Jewish director Daryl Wein (Soon directing Lola Versus). Supporting actors include big time Jews Peter Friedman (Law and Order 15 seasons) and Pablo Schreiber (The Wire). The story is about their own real-life relationship, and one of their obviously misguided, idiotic life choices.
While the characters can be quite whiney (sigh true stereotypes sigh), and you may want to slap Zoe Lister Jones’ character in the face, it is overall quite an enjoyable film. The pop culture references are enjoyable, and the witty one-liners keep the moving from becoming too serious and a bit boring. Just be warned: The Jewish culture references abound, out-doing even Woody Allen at his finest.
The best part of the film comes at the end. At a Passover Seder where both families are together, the relationship implodes. Daryl’s nagging, over-bearing terribly stereotypical Jewish mother Julie White (Law and Order SVU, Transformers)
confronts the couple about their ‘open’ relationship. Needless to say it all goes to shit, but it reminded me of my own Jewish upbringing.
If you want to know what it would be like to date a Jewish Hipster, just watch this movie. Or just take our word for it, and continue reading this blog. Your choice.
Not only as this film premiered at SXSW, but it is currently on Netflix for your viewing pleasure.
(Thank you to the person who emailed me about this film…Lost your email. Email us and I’ll give you the credit that’s due.)
dee
03/11/2012
Zoe Lister-Jones and Daryl Wein are both “half Jewish” (his father, her mother).
Pablo Schreiber I think is not Jewish at all… his half-brother Liev has a Jewish mother, but I don’t know that Pablo’s mother is Jewish (if so, then their non-Jewish dad must really love marrying Jewish women… which is possible of course).
Chicky
03/12/2012
Actually, the Israeli head Rabbi gave me control over deciding who is a Jew, and I have deemed all these people Jewish whether they want to be or not. It’s good to be the king.