A Great Surprise--A True Life Crime Drama Set In The Hasidic Community
In truth, I had never heard of the picture "Holy Rollers" but the idea of Jesse Eisenberg as a Hasidic Jew who becomes entrenched in a drug mule operation held an undeniable appeal. And this film is one of those undiscovered little gems--it may not rock your world, but it's a solidly constructed character study based on a real world case. Funny, moving, and suspenseful--I quite enjoyed this film. The depiction of Eisenberg's orthodox upbringing is well served, but his decision to color outside the lines is also believably demonstrated. As he is seduced to the dark side, the transition is well wrought. In fact, I think this is one of Eisenberg's most well rounded performances--one that uses his offbeat mannerisms to good affect.
The story, in and of itself, is undeniably fascinating--it documents a ring of Ecstasy smugglers in the late nineties who transported their wares internationally using the least likely suspects. Justin Bartha colorfully portrays the neighborhood bad...
great document about greed, superstition, and rationalization
A bunch of Evangelical 20-something dudes form a blackjack team and make money. It frees them up to spend more time with their churches. The money's in their freezers or under their mattresses. These guys are mired in making money for money's sake. What's wrong with that? Well, what did you contribute? Did you make some art? Did you learn a skill that benefits others? Did you lay down your life for your brother? Did you give all your possessions to the poor? For anyone, this lifestyle is pathetic, for self professed christians, its abhorrent. These guys are judging the casinos as hypocritical and greedy. They style themselves as righteous crusaders, then whine about it when they get kicked out of the casino. It doesn't even cross their mind that they're suckling at the same teat---fast, easy, money. Nor does it occur to them that there could more meaningful ways to make said money, ways that might make them better people. Anyway, as a documentary its great, but don't be...
A Great Surprise: A True Life Crime Drama Set In The Hasidic Community
Note: The product page has combined two DIFFERENT movies with the same title. This is for the Jesse Eisenberg drama, not the card counting documentary. I informed the big A, but it doesn't look like they're inclined to separate the reviews.
In truth, I had never heard of the picture "Holy Rollers" but the idea of Jesse Eisenberg as a Hasidic Jew who becomes entrenched in a drug mule operation held an undeniable appeal. And this film is one of those undiscovered little gems--it may not rock your world, but it's a solidly constructed character study based on a real world case. Funny, moving, and suspenseful--I quite enjoyed this film. The depiction of Eisenberg's orthodox upbringing is well served, but his decision to color outside the lines is also believably demonstrated. As he is seduced to the dark side, the transition is well wrought. In fact, I think this is one of Eisenberg's most well rounded performances--one that uses his offbeat mannerisms to good affect...
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