Eli's Coming

Running time: N/A

Pop quiz America: the significance of the year 1976? The Bicentennial? Oh, that too. No, no - it's the year Josh Glassman became a man...or, at least, tried. Well, let me explain...or, at least, try. Josh has reached his 13th year and his bar mitzvah approaches. "He must be excited," you say. Excited? Terrified is more like it. You see, Josh - as would be the case with more than a few boys of thirteen - is questioning much of what he sees around him. He's even questioning the existence of God. Unfortunately, his search for understanding means very little to those who should be acting as his guides: his family. As Josh sees it: they all have their own agendas and his happiness and fulfillment don't count for much. For his parents the bar mitzvah is simply an event on the social calendar. God is invited to attend but, basically, as an afterthought. Uncle Saul, on the other hand, sees this as a perfect opportunity to advertise his own piousness by acting as Josh's tutor. He's going to turn Josh into a good Jew even if it kills him. Lastly, for Uncle Ned - hippie, atheist and Iron Butterfly devotee - the bar mitzvah provides an opportunity for, yet, another protest against the oppression of "The Man", man. Josh needs someone to turn to, someone who understands what he's going through. But there's no one. Then...he thinks...yes, there is someone. Eli. Who is Eli and how does he help Josh find the strength to stand up for himself? For that, be sure not to miss this often hilarious, always insightful, film. --John Porter