Mr & Mrs Bacon and a Bad Shabbos

In a time when finding a Jewish film at the cinema is like spotting a kneidel in gazpacho, Bad Shabbos has done the near-impossible – become a breakout indie hit. With just a selective cinema release in America, this heartfelt Shabbat comedy has already made more than $1million at the box office – and not because of a Marvel-sized marketing budget, but through word of mouth. For a Jewish comedy right now, it’s a multiplex miracle.

“We wanted to make a film that was funny but also grounded in authenticity,” says producer Adam Mitchell. He and writer-director Daniel Robbins, drew from their own story to create what they describe as “Jewish Meet the Parents with a dash of Knives Out.”

“I grew up going to Jewish day school and wanted to show our traditions in a positive light while adding a comedic twist,” echoes Collins. “Whether it’s a ‘positive light’ will be revealed when the film premieres at the UK Jewish Film Festival in November. But for those who have longed for the American heimishe humour of Duddy Kravitz and Goodbye Columbus, it’s a blessing.

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The Bad Shabbos of the title takes place in an Upper West Side apartment – filmed in an actual 16th-floor flat on 81st Street – where a Jewish couple are anxiously preparing a Shabbat meal for their soon-to-be mishpachah, who are devout Catholics. That their son, David (Jon Bass), is marrying out soon becomes the least of their problems after an unexpected death occurs and a frantic cover-up ensues.

At the core of all this madness is Kyra Sedgwick. It’s a nice touch as the Emmy/Golden Globe–winning actor, best known for solving crimes in the hit series The Closer, is now presiding over one and cooking brisket as Ellen, the formidable matriarch.

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And here’s the ticker tape moment: Kyra is Jewish. What? A Jewish mother played by a Jewish mother?

“That felt important to me,” Kyra tells Life magazine.
“I am a Jewish mother, and I grew up with a Jewish mother. I love Jewish mothers. They always want to make sure you’ve eaten.”

With so much lived experience, playing Ellen was a breeze, but woe betide anyone who dares to drop “domineering” within earshot of this Jewish mum. “I really take umbrage at the word ‘overbearing,’” she says. “Who else is going to get in the ring with you and fight the tiger, other than your mom?”

Ellen is a great character, switching from acerbic wit to familiar warmth – an evolution Kyra enjoyed. “We see her grow and change in one night,” she says. “Her biases get challenged and, ultimately,
she softens. And it’s such a great message to put out, especially when we’re so divided. We don’t want to be more intolerant. We want to heal us.”

Kyra was raised with one Jewish and one Episcopalian parent, but her Jewish identity was never in doubt. “We always had Passover. I’ve always been connected to that side of me.”
Reciting the Shabbat blessings in the film was something Kyra hadn’t done since 1992, when she starred in the film Miss Rose White, an adaptation of  Barbara Lebow’s play A Shayna Maidel.

“I had to relearn everything as I barely remembered it,” she says, “What surprised me most was how moved I felt. Whenever I go to a Shabbos dinner, I think, ‘This is so great.’ Putting down your phone and making time for family and gratitude a priority… what’s not to love?”

That ‘Jewish’ connection deepened as she raised her children with husband Kevin Bacon. “I kvell constantly,” laughs Mrs Bacon (as she’s also been known since 1988). “Honestly, kvell is my favourite word. It’s an overwhelming feeling of joy. I have it all the time.”

This is borne out by the viral dance videos of Mr and Mrs Bacon, who, after 37 years of marriage, still have the mojo of newlyweds, with their relationship held up as one of Hollywood’s most enduring and enviable partnerships.

And the Bacons will soon appear together in Family Movie, a horror-comedy about a film-making family trying to hide a real murder on set. The couple directed jointly for the first time and
their children – musician son Travis and actress daughter Sosie – are also in the film.

Another film, The Best You Can, will hopefully land here soon, as the romantic dramedy –another Kyra and Kevin pairing – got great reviews when it premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in June.

But there’s no waiting for Bad Shabbos, which was snapped up by UK Jewish Film Festival, and Kyra is keenly aware of how important Jewish films are  currently – particularly a comedy.

“Jewish people need to laugh right now more than anything, and Bad Shabbos delivers that. It’s also about love, about growth and about not letting the brisket dry out while you’re arguing.”

For anyone who ever feared bringing someone home to meet the family on a Friday night, book a ticket for the Bad Shabbos closing night gala on November 16 https://ukjewishfilm.org

BAD SHABBOS trailer –https://youtu.be/90VptqEUi4s?si=sleQk8DkGnsTBzXT