JEWTOPIA – Review
JEWTOPIA – Review
Jewtopia is a crude comedy directed by Bryan Fogel and co-written by Fogel and Sam Wolfson, the creative duo behind the long-running off Broadway play of the same name. It follows the story of Christian O’Connell (Ivan Sergei) who poses as a Jewish doctor in order to win over his new love Alison Marks (Jennifer Love Hewitt), whom he met at a Temple mixer. To authenticate the pretense, Christian, a plumber and a Gentile, enlists the help of his neurotic Jewish friend Adam Lipshitz (Joel David Moore) who has plenty of issues of his own as he prepares to marry his insufferable fiancée played convincingly by Jamie-Lynn Sigler.
The all-star supporting cast is the most impressive element of this failed comedy peppered with Jewish stereotypes as well as a few Gentile and Hispanic ones. Jon Lovitz stand out as Adam’s dad, an embroidery dealer who suffers from panic attacks. Rita Wilson and Wendie Malick hold their own as the pushy mothers while Love Hewitt and Sigler play unlikable and controlling women. Sergei is keen to marry Angela because he does not want to make a decision for the rest of his life.
Although no Hitch, Moore’s role in the crash course is entertaining at times, such as when he coaches Christian on how to master Bridge as well as typical Jewish etiquette at a restaurant: specifically to complain about the table and order everything on the side.
Jewtopia has an interesting title but it will not be a hit. The plot lines are silly, the stereotypes will offend Jewish Americans, the gags are repetitive and audiences will not care about the romantic pursuits of Christian or Moore, the latter ends up falling for his shrink. Fogel, who is a talented writer to be fair, comes across as a frat boy. He should have been content with his successful play and book.
Review by Briege McGarrity