Clyde and Stephanie’s situation is used as the vehicle for a strong pro-marriage message, however. In one poignant scene, Clyde watches as Stephanie and the girls sit down to dinner with Stephanie’s boyfriend Brett (Grant Show). The quartet makes up a family circle from which Clyde feels both physically and emotionally excluded.
Another plus is the respectful treatment of the Jewish faith in Juliet Snowden and Stiles White’s script, including Clyde’s fervent recitation of the 91st Psalm at Em’s bedside. Of course, the admixture of folklore, like that of the dybbuk, though necessary to the filmmakers’ purpose, tends to blur the bright line between mere legend and revealed truth.
The film contains some violent and potentially disturbing images, a premarital situation, at least one use each of profanity and crude language and brief sexual references. The Catholic News Service classification is A-III – adults. The Motion Picture Association of America rating is PG-13 – parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13.
Mulderig is on the staff of Catholic News Service.
