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"She's not Jewish! I mean, why don't you go waste your time on a Jewish Girl." - Roger Cohen

What happens when your family structures its life exclusively around one institution, and that institution happens to be a strip club? This is the surprising question that Shawney Cohen and Mike Gallay's excellent film The Manor asks. The answers that the film provides over its short running time are equally surprising; I found myself wanting to spend more time in the company of these fascinating people, despite the quiet tragedy at the centre of the family. The Manor is an impossible film to describe, as all the individuals it documents are such deeply contradictory figures they can't help but come across as genuine, deeply conflicted, and worthy of understanding.

But the heart of the film belongs to mother Brenda Cohen, and her devastating struggle with an eating disorder. The Manor performs the almost miraculous task of bringing her struggle to life, and throughout the film the audience desperately yearns for her recovery. The rest is best left unsaid, as part of the pleasures of viewing the film. When the credits roll, one is simply left with the wish that Shawney finds his niche; that Sammy get outs from under his father and succeeds; that Bobby finds peace; that Susan finds comfort; that Roger sells the damned club; and most of all, that Brenda finds happiness and health. To leave a documentary with such strong wishes for people we don't even know is the highest compliment that can be paid to these two talented filmmakers.

I found this documentary quite by accident. The various addictions and enabling behaviors are masterfully displayed while maintaining each person's dignity. I found myself drawn into this families inner-space almost immediately. I suppose what resonated with me most was the older brothers struggle to rationalize his participation within the family business. On the one hand, he was born into it and it had provided for his entire family. On the other hand, he clearly has some angst and doubts concerning the existence, much less with his participation, of the business. I also noted that the rooms were $650 before and after the re-branding of the hotel/halfway house. Very clever/honest editing. This could easily be a reality series. Or at the very least, a Part-2 would be nice.