524. Menashe; movie review

MENASHE
Cert U
82 mins

BBFC advice: Contains very mild violence


Last month, when I was interviewed for the i newspaper, I was asked to think of the different languages which I had seen represented in movies during the past seven years.
Having the memory of a goldfish, but having just done a quick search, I can confirm that I had never seen a Yiddish film - until now.
Joshua Z Weinstein's Menashe centres on the ultra-orthodox Jewish community of New York when scorn is poured on those who are slightly out of step.
For example, the title character, played by Menashe Lustig, is effectively being punished for being in mourning for his wife because he is refusing to yield to the community's demands to remarry.
Indeed, such is the latter's devotion to ancient teachings that Menashe is forced to send his son (Ruben Niborksi) to live with his brother-in-law (Yoel Weisshaus) until he can redraw the family circle.

The title character is a good man and very religious but he has a hint of individuality and even rebellion which is seen as setting a bad example to his son.
Meanwhile, his problems are heightened because he is a bit of a shambles - always late, he is regularly at odds with the boss in the small shop where he works, his family and even his rabbi.
Sadly, therefore, he loses the moral high ground by being work-shy and incompetent. Thus, every time he demands that he should be able to raise his own son, his argument falls flat.
Menashe is a quiet film but it gives an insight into a little-known community and, for that alone, it is worth watching.
It also poses deep questions about how far people should or should not rely on religion.
Lustig convinces so much as the title character that I was gobsmacked to read that he has never even seen a movie before he starred in one.
Indeed, I was left wondering whether this was an act or autobiographical.

Reasons to watch: lifts the veil on the strict Jewish sector of New York
Reasons to avoid: drifts into repetition

Laughs: none
Jumps: none
Vomit: none
Nudity: none
Overall rating: 6.5/10

Star tweet

Roland Hughes‏Verified account @hughesroland Dec 12

Saw a brilliant little film today, Menashe, set in NYC's Hassidic community and almost entirely in Yiddish. Turns out the lead actor hadn't seen a film on the big screen before when he went to its premiere.

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