Guns & Moses

After a member of his temple is murdered, a Rabbi is the only one who does not believe it is motivated by hate. While he leads his community through turbulent times and the family through their grief, he conducts his own investigation, becoming more than just a Rabbi.

This movie is far-fetched but entertaining. The story is similar to other murder investigation story arcs, with some hot topics mixed in, such as anti-Semitism, renewable energy, and the environment. Overall, the story is not overly predictable, which keeps it interesting. The action is suitable for a movie that didn't require it, but it's far-fetched. The one-hour and thirty-four-minute runtime is the perfect amount of time needed for the Rabbi to close this case. Definitely a unique and short watch with a bit of everything mixed in.

The setting and characters are unique, but ultimately this is a rather straightforward, fun, quirky, thriller. When a rabbi believes law enforcement has arrested the wrong man for a murder, the rabbi begins his own investigation, which leads to a plot vaguely reminiscent of CHINATOWN. That the rabbi seeks to exonerate a neo-Nazi accused of murdering a prominent Jewish businessman is one of the fresh spins on the thriller genre that this film takes. With many possible suspects and victims, the plot is at times unwieldy, and though comprehensible, it struggles to hang together. Cast with many actors who frequently play light or comedic roles, especially Christopher Lloyd, the film provides these actors with opportunities to show their dramatic chops effectively.

Guns & Moses delivers something I've been craving for a long time: a Jewish action hero who isn't a punchline or a historical victim, but a full-on badass. It's unapologetically modern, sharp, and proudly rooted in culture.

The writing is smart, the action is fun, and the lead character brings a refreshing new face to the hero archetype. There's something incredibly powerful about seeing a Jewish protagonist take center stage, not in a story about suffering, but one about strength, defiance, and wit.

If you're looking for a film that flips expectations and carves out a new space for Jewish representation in genre cinema, Guns & Moses is it.

I debated between a 7.5 and an 8. But decided to rate it as 8 here.

This movie is how Jewish representation should be done. You can tell a good story with a relatable hero and let them be Jewish. Rabbi Mo is a delightful character and a good Rabbi, here for his people, supporting his community, and willing to be there for others and counsel them. But he's flawed, he's insecure, and he finds confidence in his family, and in some unlikely places and circumstances.

It is full of Jewish love, and when appropriate, some Jewish humor. It is a movie about perception and about how to protect oneself in times of trouble.

Merecedes Mason and Alona Tal were amazing. Great characters all around and the mystery had some great twists.

It is also one of the few movies that had a diversity of Jewish characters, secular and religious, without portraying either one as bad or wrong.

Its biggest flaw, I think, was the pacing; a couple of scenes felt rushed, and some rough cinematography. But that doesn't distract too much from an otherwise strong film and Jewish Representation.