Putzel

Saw the premiere of this at Woodstock Film Festival. A tremendous heartfelt comedy with an incredible ensemble cast. Jack Carpenter (Putzel) is an incredible young talent and John Pankow really knocks it out the park as his Uncle Sid. If you've ever enjoyed Melanie Lynskeys hilarious character on 3 1/2 Men, you will really enjoy her playing a real life complex character in this movie. If you are looking for something light-hearted with a poignant message served by terrific actors - this is the movie for you. I also learnt so much more about Lox than I ever knew before! Looking forward to what else Jason Chaet and Rick Moore bring to the screen.

PUTZEL is an adorable, poignant, funny film set entirely on Manhattan's Upper West Side. While it does mix in some sad moments, the film ends on a hopeful, uplifting note. Walter, aka Putzel, is an endearing protagonist with whom I assume everyone can relate: We all have our insecurities and unfulfilled dreams. As the film develops, we realize Walter's issues stem from a particularly dysfunctional family relationship. Again, something to which most of us can relate. How Walter both acknowledges and transcends his past is the film's journey. If you have an opportunity to see a screening of PUTZEL, don't miss it. And let's hope this gem of a film finds wider distribution. It deserves it!

if you're an upper west side jew who is afraid to go below 59th st or above 116th st, you work in your family's fish store (and you plan to work there for the next 40 years of your life), this movie is actually about your life. so you should see it.

for the rest of you (and me) who don't fall into that category, here's why we should see it:

1. change is scary, but a lot of the times it's also so needed. this movie is a good reminder about that. 2. it has a lot of fish. fish can never be a bad thing. 3. also bagels. 4. you can never see too many love stories. this one will make you laugh, feel a little awkward and maybe even tear up. 5. this movie deserves to be seen more than any of the Hollywood glam movies that are out at the moment. this movie is real. 6. it gives an answer to the ultimate question that we've been asking for CENTURIES; what's a putzel?

so, yeah. just watch it. watch it now.

Putzel is the perfect blend of heartwarming and hilarious. A group of well written and well acted characters telling a story anyone can relate to. The acting, direction and script are so well done that you find yourself engaged by even the most minor characters. It encapsulates life on The Upper West side of Manhattan without alienating audiences elsewhere. Instead of being alienating it makes the Upper West side feel relatable, like it could be anywhere. Although at times it deals with surprising sad and dark subject matter it leaves you feeling hopeful. It also will make you laugh with some of the funniest moments you've seen in a film. These things and it's Billy Wilder like style make it an instant classic.

If, like me, you've bemoaned the lack of character-based, pathos-filled, and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny relationship comedies lately, then Putzel will come as a welcome breath of whitefish and lox-scented air. With all the bite and heart of the best Billy Wilder movies, director Jason Chaet tells a story of dysfunctional romance and blighted dreams, set entirely within the delivery radius of an old-school, family-owned Manhattan deli. The stakes have never been higher for Walter "Putzel" Himmelstein as he gamely attempts to manage an uncertain future, a wildly egotistical uncle, an irrational phobia, and a deli counter, which all finally comes into focus for him when a ballet and fish-loving shiksa goddess played by the always great Melanie Lynskey plies (plee-ayys?) into his life. There's bona fide laughter and tears here, and it all comes in a witty, Manischewitz-soaked punch.