For Adam Sandler, this is a “take your daughters to work day” and they hold their own very well in the family business. Adam Sandler produced, stars and cast his own daughters as well as wife Jackie in lead roles in this Jewish-centric comedy about the right of passage to adulthood called a Bat Mitzvah.
Even at an hour and 43 minutes, the film feels long and often uncomfortable watching the trials and tribulations of these young teens leading up to the big day when the teen boy or girl presents a serious reading of the Torah followed by a party to showcase the star of the show. Director Sammi Cohen and Writers Allison Peck and Fiona Rosenbloom follow the Sandler playbook portraying awkward but human relationships and embarrassing situations that keep our attention.
This film adequately reflects the fickle nature of 13-year olds and their relationships with family, friends, cliques, crushes, jealousy, and self-identity. As in other cultural rights of passage, (confirmation, Quinceañera, and more), the big themed party is the most important part of the celebration and it is often way over the top.
In this one, younger Sandler daughter Sunny plays Sunny. She displays a roller coaster of emotions preparing for her big day. Her relationships with friends and family are put to the test ignoring her tzedakah project expecting her to give back to the community, while preparing to read from the Torah in Hebrew in the synagogue service.
The spotlight is on Stacy’s relationship with her very best friend, Lydia (Samantha Lorraine). They are working together to create the best Bat Mitzvahs for each other ever. They are adorable and believable as besties who know every single thing about each other. Emotions run high, especially when they start doing things to hurt each other. Of course, it revolves around a boy. Andy Goldfarb (Dylan Hoffman) who is cute and he plays them against each other.
Adam Sandler as Stacy’s Dad, Danny, gets upset when his daughter has grown out of being with him instead of always going with her friends. Dad gets it worse from his older high school daughter, Ronnie (Sadie Sandler) who knows exactly what her sister’s going through. She and Danny constantly butt heads. He admits being afraid of her!
There is always a lot of drama. Idina Mendzel is, once again cast as Adam’s wife in this film. She walks a tightrope trying to keep peace between all members of her opinionated family. Fun scenes as both Stacy and Lydia are with their mothers picking out the party dresses for their Bat Mitzvahs. Both Moms (Idina Menzel and Jackie) have to talk their girls out of getting showy, sophisticated dresses that cost too much.
Characters and crazy situations that get some of the biggest laughs are DJ Schmuley (Ido Mosseri), the must-have DJ/MC at all the parties. His disco ball helmet says it all as he takes control to make the party take off. He’s really a dysfunctional narcissist, but in a ballroom, he’s the man. Rabbi Rebecca (Sarah Sherman), is totally off the wall. Sherman, known for her off-kilter skits on SNL News Update, is fearless and funny as the wackiest Rabbi you’ve never seen.
This film is reminiscent of other films about this age group, including Are You There God? This is Margaret, Mean Girls and Sixteen Candles. There were even titles for a John Hughes festival on the marquis when Danny goes to the movies by himself. Adam Sandler has successfully mined impressive talent from his own family for an uneven but fun film steeped in Jewish traditions and values, family and friendship that predictably ends with heart. Now, where’s the party!
Netflix. 1 hour 43 minutes. PG-13
