Bad Shabbos - 84 minutes

The opening night film of the 2025 Jewish International Film Festival, which is being screened throughout the festival, is a riotous, good-natured comedy.

There are laughs aplenty as an important Friday night dinner turns into a calamitous version of Weekend at Bernie’s (1989).

From a traditional New York Jewish family, David (Jon Bass) is engaged to good Catholic girl Meg (Meaghan Leathers), who is converting. 

It is Shabbos and the first time the two families have gotten together. The location is Richard (David Paymer) and Ellen’s (Kyra Sedgwick) 10^th floor apartment.

Meg’s parents, John (John Bedford Lloyd) and Beth (Catherine Curtin), are driving there all the way from Milwaukee, Wisconsin.

Also joining the family celebration is Richard and Ellen’s daughter, Abby (Milana Vayntrub) and her acerbic boyfriend, Benjamin (Ashley Zukerman). 

Truth be told, Abby has been trying to find the right time to break up with him.

He is particularly combative when it comes to Abby and David’s younger brother, Adam (Theo Tapliz).

Adam is a troubled, pill popping outsider for whom Abby secured a two-week free internship at Benjamin’s firm.

After yet another flare up between Benjamin and Adam during pre-dinner drinks, before Meg’s parents arrive, Adam takes action.

The result is catastrophic and Benjamin is “toast”.

Mayhem ensues. All begin running around like chooks without heads.

Even the affable and resourceful building doorman, Jordan (Cliff “Method Man” Smith) gets involved … and how.

And that is before John and Beth arrive late, after which things become even more chaotic.

Co-written, with Zack Weiner, by directed Daniel Robbins, Bad Shabbos is a delightful, manufactured comedy.

It dines out on awkwardness and features a surfeit of smart one liners and sight gags.

The humour begins with the opening scene, when a rabbi is walking along the street, relaying a story to his companion.

As it so happens, they come to a shuddering halt below Richard and Ellen’s apartment.

The talented ensemble milks the material for all it is worth, which is all in the comic timing.

It is not hard to put yourself into David’s position in wanting everything to go right, while being fearful – in fact, all but knowing – it won’t. Jon Bass’ countenance relays that in spades.

Meaghan Leathers is eternally affable as Meg, but even she is about to be sorely tested.

Richard has some weird ideas about how to stay grounded and David Paymer’s smile is deliberately disarming. Placing the cutlery on the table establishes his dynamic nicely.

For all the effort Meg is putting in, Ellen finds it difficult to accept her. Kyra Sedgwick plays up that discomfort.

Theo Tapliz is a bundle of nerves as Adam, while I appreciated the contradictions and directness in Milana Vayntrub’s representation of Abby.

Arrogance and unlikability are the keys to Ashley Zukerman’s take on Benjamin.

Cliff “Method Man” Smith is a scene-stealing hoot as Jordan.

The movie has a beaut look and feel to it. The production design is by Lily Guerin.

While you might say that the script gets away with murder, that would be churlish.

The way to get the most out of Bad Shabbos is to dive in headfirst and let the discomfort drive you to mirth and merriment.

It scores a 7½ out of 10.

To find out more and to buy tickets to the Jewish International Film Festival, go to https://www.jiff.com.au