Scott Marshall (son of Garry and nephew of Penny) makes his directorial debut with this coming-of-age comedy, which centers on a young Jewish boy named Benjamin Fiedler, who is anxious about his upcoming bar mitzvah. Ben's parents, Adam and Joanne, try to keep up with the Joneses (here personified by their friends/rivals, the Steins), by planning a lavish bar mitzvah party at which Adam, a Hollywood agent, can impress his clients. Ben, however, is more concerned with the meaning of it.
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Ben's paternal grandfather, Irwin, who had walked out on his family decades earlier, shows up in advance of the event. Irwin and Adam don't see eye to eye, but Ben and his grandpa quickly bond. Irwin helps his grandson come to terms with the religious significance of having a bar mitzvah. He also dishes out advice about girls, getting drunk, and life in general.
In the end, Ben must decide whether to go along with his parents' plans for a glitzy, over-the-top bash or insist on having a meaningful celebration.
The review of this Movie prepared by Elana Starr
