Sounds like a good flick....

The Breslov's are quite an interesting group. I met one when I was living in Irvine....at the time he taught at YULA....This family was one of the nicest and warmest families I ever had a chance to get to know during my brief stay in Irvine.

We had a chance to talk about their philosophy...I really could relate to some of it....especially their awareness of how dibilitating depression and negative thoughts are. It's amazing how head of the curve Rebbi Nachman was.....

Lance:

The Breslov Rebbe died at an incredibly young age--38. But his influence was vast. He started attracting disciples when he was very young. He strongly believed in joy and fought against the negative influence of anger and depression. This plays a strong part in the film and is used very effectively. Ushpizin is a first rate film.

This film is on my queue at Netflix -- I love Breslov Chassidus. I always tell people that if I ever become a Chasid, I'll become a Breslover.

The final sentence of your post is truly heartbreaking. A painful reminder that one never, ever stops mourning the loss of a child.

Tamara:

Greatly appreciate your post. Let me know how you feel about the film once you see it.

The joys we experience are never quite complete.

I was raised as a total Mitnagid, meaning those who oppose Hassidim, but times have changed and my view has radically changed. And well, as I said, I really love Breslov hats. Totally cool.

Every 10 years or so, somebody makes a movie about a religious community or person that really "gets it." As the son of a Rabbi who was often pressured by his congregations, I found the 1982 Jack Lemmon film "Mass Appeal" to be fantastic. Then, I fell in love with Robert Duval's "The Apostle," because it managed to show the beauty of Evangelical life even though the main character was so flawed. "Ushpizin" is on my list with those movies. Now, we just need a full-out comedy about religious life that does not mock it, but accurately portrays some of the silliness, ironies, etc. It is a great dream of mine to write such a film.

Jake:

I was always saddened that The Marx Bros. never made a film that takes place in a Jewish mileau. Of course when they worked in Hollywood that was impossible, but think of the possibilities. De-licious. I leave it to you, Jake.

Yeah, they say that the funniest of the Marx's was the mother... by far. And apparently, she was pretty well-educated Jewishly. When I read about her, my creative juices started flowing and I thought that a movie about a woman posing as her suddenly absent Hassidic Rabbi husband to keep the dynasty going, (not like Yentl, which as a play and a movie took itself way too seriously), could be fun. Mrs. Marx would have been perfect for this role. Here are a couple of lines in the Marx Brothers style:

Hassid: Rebbe, my wife refuses to cover her hair!

"Rebbe": I've seen your wife, her hair isn't the only thing she should be covering!

Hassid: Rebbe, they say one isn't permitted to begin studying Kabbalah until he reaches age 40...

"Rebbe": 40? Who thought of that? Probably my nephew Beryl, who's 45, single and still lives at home, nebuch. He still thinks he's in cheder.

Jake:

Yes, I've heard that Mama Marx was a real cut-up. Great idea for a film, though Hollywood will be very resistant: "Too Jewish!"

Yeah, I mean a film like that has as much chance as being made as a movie about gay cowboys. Oh wait...

"When the film ended, Karen and I wept because Ariel was not here to see it. He would have adored it."
Feelings of grief seem to hit at times and places we don't always suspect.

Randi:

True, we only know that the grief will hit. Thanks so much.

The only movie that I loved as much as Ushpizin - was A Stranger Among Us. Both portrayed Jewish life and human conflict with creativity, dignity and honesty.

Yael:

Thanks so much. very kind of you. They would make a very neat double bill, don't you think?

I can't wait to see this film. Thankyou for reviewing it.

Janjan:

Your welcome. Let us know what you think of the film once you see it.

Last night they showed again "A Stranger Among Us" on TV. I cannot count how many times my husband and I watched it. I agree with Yael that I loved Ushpizin almost as much as I loved "A Stranger Among Us". Although Michal Bat-Sheva Rand is not nearly as famous or beautiful on the outside as Melanie Griffith, I think her acting was superb and genuine, and she came across as a gorgeous person inside.
I can certainly feel your and Karin's pain in everything you do that reminds you about Ariel.
I wish I could tell you that thirteen years later it becomes easier, but I would be lying.
The only thing we can pray for is that we can live in the present, devote ourselves to our families that are here, and be productive people while we are still here. I don't think that H' can fault us for wishing that our children were here, or looking forward to the day when we will be together. I can't wait for Ariel and Rochelly to tell us that they have become great friends in Shomaim.

Dear HerMom:

Thanks so much for your kind words about my film. I actually disagree with you about Michal Bate-Sheva Rand's beauty. I think she is just luminous and as I said, her acting just took my breath away. And, let it be said that I am immune to Hollywood beauties.

That Ariel and your Rochelly are in Shamaim there is no doubt. That is our only consolation. May we all find comfort that they are looking down on us.

beautiful review.I have seen it here in Israel-extremely well done,professional and moving.
Now you have to team up with S.Rand and produce 'the masterpiece.'

Dear Daat:

Thanks for your kind comment. It would be my honor to work with Moshe Rand. But you know what, I believe that "Ushpizin" is a masterpiece.

Thanks for taking the time to review that, Robert. Now I'm definitely going to go see it. And great work on A Stranger Among Us. Lumet was correct; it had more appeal because the sweetness of the religious world portrayed was so genuine and internal.

As for Rav Nachman and depression, I understand that scholarly consensus holds that he was bi polar. I love his writings, though. All those beautiful, profound aphorisms.

Dear Alcibiades:

Glad you found our review helpful, and glad you like "Stranger." BTW, did you know that in the Shabbos scene are the Avrech children? Yup, they are the cute kids clapping their hands as the Hasidim dance. And sitting in Melanie's lap is offspring #3.

As for "scholarly consensus" on Reb Nachman: My contempt for hindsight psychology knows no bounds. By definition, Tzaddikim are beyond such narrow personalty definitions. At least in my humble opinion.

Well given your world view, your opinion hardly shocks me. But, yaish v'yaish, even among "contemptible" hindsight psychologists, in my experience. From the worse-than-pedestrian to the transcendent.

And whereas I can see where you are coming from with your remark about Tsaddikim, from my own academic soaked position, even Tsaddikim experience brain chemistry. In fact, I rather believe that irregular brain chemistry might be an asset to some profound spirits. In that it might help train the spirit on heightened states and less ordinary perspectives.

Not the frum perspective on considering these matters, I'm aware, but to my eyes that, in itself, does not invalidate the matter. Though I should say I'm speaking here more of mystics rather than Tsaddikim. Though of course some people are both.

Alcibiades:

I remember when I attended secular college and took a religion course. The Professor gave a lecture on King David and Jonathan. It was a given that they were, guess what, gay. No discussion, no argument, it was understood to this learned deconstructionist. I discovered quickly that there is more brain chemistry in any Beis Midrash than in the august halls of academia.

As always, your thoughts give me much to ponder. Too bad you didn't teach a course in my college. I might have learned a thing or two that made some sense.

Ushpizin is indeed a fine film, one of the best I've every seen, not only for the exceptional acting but the beautiful lighting and design. How wonderful to see a leading actress, so beautiful the is, of natural size and plumpness, she was radiant.
This is one DVD I shall be adding to my private collection because I want to watch it again and again.
Though I'm not religious, the love and joy the couple showed in their observation was truly moving, enough to inspire anyone.

Lynda:

We've watched Ushpizin several times since our original screening and it continues to delight with its outstanding screenplay, superb acting, and Hollywood style production values.

Love this film. "It's a Wonderful Life," Israel/Jewish style.

You don't have to be observant to adore this film, merely in love with Judaism—and good movies.

Do stay in touch.