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| Movie Review: Sixty-Six Alternate Title: Yiddisha Cup
Story: Oy! Can you imagine if
your Bar Mitzvah were to fall on the day that your country ends up in
the World Cup final? Based on the true-ish story of director Paul
Weiland's own Bar Mitzvah and written by Peter Straughan
and Bridget O’Connor that's what happens to poor
12 year old Bernie Rubens. This often dark coming of age tale takes place
in 1965 England. Little Bernie is not the most popular kid. His older
brother picks on him, his parents ignore him and the kid who has polio
gets picked for the school team ahead of him. Bernie believes his Bar
Mitzvah will change his life. On that perfect day, he will be the star,
the center of attention and his life will really begin. Do things go
wrong? Absolutely. We watch as Bernie's perfectly planned day turns
to crap as England gets closer and closer to the finals of the competition
and his family's financial hardship minimizes the size and scope of
Bernie's party every day. Is it all believable? Absolutely not. Did I care?
Absolutely not. This is a charming, slice of life, while predictable,
remains very entertaining. Watch the trailer: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4CARmJdFz-8
And here is the first charming five minute of
the film: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rzQHy4GdD7o Trivia: England has not won the World Cup since 1966.
Helena Bonham Carter is the great-granddaughter of H.H. Asquith a British
Prime Minister (1908-1916). She speaks French fluently and has two children
by director Tim Burton.
Predilection: None - except Bar Mitzvahs make me
laugh when they are depicted on film.
Critters: A barking dog, a beautiful black lab and
a gorgeous working yellow lab.
Food: Meat and potatoes, baked beans, gray peas,
fish sticks, cake and other not so yummy food items.
Sex Spectrum: It is a family film but there are hints
of sex.
Soundtrack: funny
Opening Titles: The first five minutes of the film
(see clip above) introduce you to the family. The titles follow. The
credits at he end are worth staying for too.
Visual Art: Nice recreation of the 60's in England.
Theater Audience: Five other people. I laughed the
loudest.
Weather: The weather was fine for the World Cup and
the Bar Mitzvah.
Sappy Factor: 0
Quirky Meter: 0
Squirm Scale: 0
Drift Factor: I didn't drift at all.
Predictability Level: High
Tissue Usage: 0
Oscar Worthy: No
Big Screen or Rental: Rental would be fine.
Length: 100 minutes
LOBO HOWLS: 7
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