Dir. Kevin Asch, USA, 2010, Dur. 89 mins
Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Justin Bartha, Danny A. Abeckaser, Mark Avanir
Review by Carlie Newman
Jesse Eisenberg made a number of films before his outstanding performance in the Social Network. Holy Rollers was made a couple of years ago, while co-star Justin Bartha is also known for his performance as the lost bridegroom in The Hangover.
Holy Rollers is inspired by actual events that took place in the late nineties. Eisenberg plays Sam Gold, who, as a member of a Hasidic (religious Orthodox Jewish) family in Brooklyn, is studying to become a Rabbi. Yosef (Justin Bartha), who is the somewhat rebellious brother of his close friend Leon (Jason Fuchs), tells 20-year-old Sam about bringing medicines to the USA from Europe but Sam is a bit wary. However when the parents of the girl to whom he is betrothed withdraw from the marriage contract, Sam enters into the importing of what he soon learns are illegal drugs.
His business acumen makes him successful, which pleases the gangster boss, Jackie (Abackaser) and Sam also falls for Jackie’s attractive girlfriend, Rachel (Ari Graynor). In spite of being warned by his rabbi and his family, Sam becomes more involved in the drugs scene and increasingly keen on the money and lifestyle which his new career offers, especially the nightlife in Amsterdam and Manhattan. He then recruits other Hasidic Jews to participate in the drug smuggling.
The moral crisis faced by Sam is not very clearly defined, although Eisenberg does show some of the anguish associated with his choice of life. Although Asch seems to be directing some scenes for amusement value, the subject is serious and the best parts deal with the gravity of Sam’s situation. Perhaps the importance of religion to his family as well as to himself is not firmly enough established and at times Eisenberg shows anguish on his face but we are not always sure whether it is because he is not able to pray or if it is to demonstrate his moral uncertainty at the path he has chosen. His father (Avenir) is very upset and dismisses his son from his home for being “a criminal.”
A strong cast – which includes Hallie Eisenberg (Jesse’s sister) as his sister in the film, back up Eisenberg with clearly defined performances and we get a good picture of life amongst the Hassidim in the late 90s.
love to know what you think of some of my work and music videos 
