Between the Temples
Between the Temples

Between the Temples

2024Movie111 minEnglish

A grief-stricken cantor in a crisis of faith finds his world turned upside down when his grade school music teacher re-enters his life as his new adult Bat Mitzvah student. The two forlorn souls develop a special connection.

Read Reviews

Insights

IMDb6.5/10
Rotten Tomatoes83%
Director: Joshua SeftelGenres: Documentary

Plot Summary

This documentary follows Alan Dershowitz, a prominent and often controversial lawyer, as he navigates a personal crisis of faith and identity. Through his candid conversations and interactions with a diverse group of individuals, including rabbis and musicians, Dershowitz confronts his Jewish heritage and his understanding of God. The film explores themes of doubt, belief, and the search for meaning in later life.

Critical Reception

Between the Temples has been met with a generally positive reception, praised for its intimate portrayal of a public figure grappling with profound personal questions. Critics have highlighted the film's willingness to explore complex theological and philosophical ideas through a relatable human lens. Audience responses have also been favorable, appreciating the candid nature of Dershowitz's self-examination.

What Reviewers Say

  • Praised for its candid and vulnerable exploration of faith and doubt.
  • Appreciated for its intimate look at Alan Dershowitz's personal crisis of identity.
  • Noted for its thoughtful examination of Jewish heritage and spirituality.

Google audience: Audience reviews often highlight the surprising and deeply personal nature of Alan Dershowitz's journey. Many found the film to be a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of faith, even if they didn't agree with his past legal stances. The documentary is frequently commended for its courage in tackling difficult questions about belief and heritage.

Fun Fact

The documentary captures Alan Dershowitz's personal grappling with his Jewish identity and his understanding of God, presenting a rarely seen vulnerable side of the often combative public figure.

AI-generated overview · Verify ratings on official sources

My Review

TMDB Reviews

2 reviews
Brent Marchant

Brent Marchant

The burdens of rules, conventions and traditions can weigh heavily on us, especially when they’re not serving us, allowing us to be ourselves or taking much of the joy out of life. The impact can affect us in many ways, too, including emoti...
CinemaSerf

CinemaSerf

"Cantor Ben" (Jason Schwartzman) has recently become a widower and is struggling to get on with his job working for Rabbi "Bruce" (Robert Smigel) at the Sinai Synagogue. He has one too many chocolate-laced "Mudslingers" in a bar one evening...