You Are So Not Invited to My Bat Mitzvah
by Paulette Reynolds * August 30, 2023
by Paulette Reynolds * August 30, 2023
Director: Sammi Cohen
Screenplay: Alison Peck
(From YASNITMBM by Amanda Stern aka Fiona Rosenbloom
Happy Madison Productions
Starring Sunny Sandler/Stacy Friedman, Samantha Lorraine/Lydia Rodriguez Katz, Sadie Sandler/Ronnie Friedman, Adam Sandler/Danny Friedman, Idina Menzel/Bree Friedman, Jackie Sandler/Gabi Rodriguez Katz, Sarah Sherman/Rabbi Rebecca, Dylan Hoffman/Andy Goldfarb, Ido Mosseri/DJ Schmuley, Luis Guzman/Eli Katz
Screenplay: Alison Peck
(From YASNITMBM by Amanda Stern aka Fiona Rosenbloom
Happy Madison Productions
Starring Sunny Sandler/Stacy Friedman, Samantha Lorraine/Lydia Rodriguez Katz, Sadie Sandler/Ronnie Friedman, Adam Sandler/Danny Friedman, Idina Menzel/Bree Friedman, Jackie Sandler/Gabi Rodriguez Katz, Sarah Sherman/Rabbi Rebecca, Dylan Hoffman/Andy Goldfarb, Ido Mosseri/DJ Schmuley, Luis Guzman/Eli Katz
Imagine a film about two middle school girls who are obsessed with creating - and sharing - their perfect bat mitzvah experience – and utterly failing. BFFs Sandy Friedman and Lydia, are doing just that, feverishly planning their Bat Mitzvah celebrations during a whirlwind Mitzvah season.
Their upper middle-class neighbors scramble to provide the biggest coming-of-age gala event that follows the religious ceremony. We’re treated to a quick montage of lavish parties that could rival any modern wedding: A screaming DJ pumping up ear-splitting tunes, walk-on introductory videos, gourmet cuisine, and an open bar - all organized around a unique party theme.
Their upper middle-class neighbors scramble to provide the biggest coming-of-age gala event that follows the religious ceremony. We’re treated to a quick montage of lavish parties that could rival any modern wedding: A screaming DJ pumping up ear-splitting tunes, walk-on introductory videos, gourmet cuisine, and an open bar - all organized around a unique party theme.
In the midst of planning, rehearsing scripture from the Torah, and attending Hebrew school, the girls giggle and sigh over Adam, the resident hottie. Tensions arise as they quickly jump into cat fight mode over a boy who can barely carry on a conversation. Amid tampon pad jokes and back room make-out sessions, there’s no real effort to improve upon this “besties forever, but a boy got in the way” trope.
You Are so not Invited seems stuck somewhere in time between the pages of Adam Sandler‘s fantasy family photo album; and yet those are the only moments that are relatable. Nepotism is alive and kicking, with Sandler, his wife, and two daughters comfortably sharing center stage. Unfortunately the person who feels like a third wheel here is Idina Menzel, playing Sandler’s on-screen wife, Bree. Stuck between the real Sandler family dynamic and Cohen’s tepid direction, The Queen of Broadway quickly fades into oblivion.
YASNITMBM is sweet on home ground, but gets messy when venturing out into the wilds of Tween Hell. The direction feels uneven, as though there was more than one director on the set, but that wouldn’t be surprising, given that Sandler co-produced the film. Luis Guzman and Jackie Sandler are unconvincing - and unlikeable - as Lydia’s squabbling parents. Sarah Sherman does injury to the progress of female rabbis everywhere with a cringe-worthy comic schtick as Rabbi Rebecca. And if you blink you’ll miss her moment of genuine warmth, when she moves beyond the lame jokes to connect with Stacy as her religious leader.
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Stacy and Lydia do learn a few lessons about friendship and their core values as Jewish adults-in-training. Sandler and Co. could pick up some salient points from the Netflix hit teen series, Never Have I Ever and try again with a project focusing on him and his two daughters.
Well, from my lips to Sandler’s ears. Mazel tov!
Well, from my lips to Sandler’s ears. Mazel tov!
COPYRIGHT 2012/2023. Paulette Reynolds. All CineMata Movie Madness blog articles, reviews, faux interviews, commentary, and the Cine Mata character are under the sole ownership of Paulette Reynolds. All intellectual and creative rights reserved.
