Polish Bar

An Ionic Opportunities, Full Neferatari and Aijsa presentation of the Duly Noted production. Created by Effie T. Brown. Executive producers, Mark Brockbank, Cynthia Stafford, Jermaine O'Neal. Co-producers, Ben Redgrave, Victor Symris, Michael Mento, Deddrick Faison. Directed by Ben Berkowicz. Script, Berkowitz, Ben Redgrave.With: Vincent Piazza, James Badge Dale, Meatloaf, Golden Brooks, Dov Tiefenbach, Howard "Chingy" Bailey, Richard Belzer, Judd Hirsch, Maury Cooper, Maestro Harrell, Pamela Shaw, Sara Krukowski, Matthew Gold, Andrzej Krukowski, Joe Minoso.Coming 12 years after their first film, 1999's "Straightman," director Ben Berkowitz and co-scenarist/producer Ben Redgrave's sophomore feature "Polish Bar" is really a much slicker affair. But this similarly Chicago-set drama manages to lose a number of that first film's raw honesty among an untidy narrative agenda whose surplus of subplots are unevenly developed. Tale of the youthful club DJ torn between his conservative Jewish family, musical aspirations and criminal associations is actually watchable if ultimately under satisfying. Patrons may step-up for this "Bar" home based formats than via limited theatrical exposure. The filmmakers starred in "Straightman," which in fact had a raw truth redolent of both past Cassavetes and future mumblecore photos. "Polish Bar" shares "Straightman's" target the Windy City's slummier side, but this time around Berkowitz and Redgrave remain offscreen, changed with a solid professional cast among enhanced production values. Reuben Horowitz (Vincent Piazza) includes a nick on his shoulder, getting developed within the shadow of the deceased father, and regarded as like a black sheep by his primly disapproving mother (Pamela Shaw, with Richard Belzer as her more tolerant second husband) and hectoring Uncle Sol (Judd Hirsch). He's gone from mild juvenile delinquency to some job at Sol's watch store, chafing under his uncle's constant criticisms. But Reuben also deliberately brings about their disapproval by moonlighting like a DJ within the titular strip club run by sleazebag Joe (Meatloaf), in addition to relationship the approval of local stylish-hop kingmaker Body fat Moe (Howard "Chingy" Bailey). Nor is his selection of buddies exactly family-approved: The nearest factor he's reached a best mate is fellow club worker Tommy (James Badge Dale), who's a loose-cannon "Mean Roads" P Niro to his brooding Keitel he's bedding large blonde emigre stage talent Edyta (Sara Krukowski) but appears interested in another stripper, Ebenholzfarben (Golden Brooks). Wishing to accrue enough cash to actually launch his music career, Reuben is focusing on one further, major drug deal that's certain to fail. When things eventually flattened, the pic reaches a murky catharsis that enables Ruben to reconcile together with his heritage (and provides mother an "I hef no boy!" moment, a la "The Jazz Singer"). But that central conflict is simply sputteringly articulated, very best in moments where Reuben banters together with his Orthodox cousin (Dov Tiefenbach), going to throughout their ailing grandfather's (Maury Cooper) last days. Generally, you will find way too many figures cluttering the pic's background using their own underexplored dramas, including Tommy's violent denial of his possible homosexuality and Ebony's home existence having a more youthful brother (Maestro Harrell). This overpopulated canvas will bleed any real suspense in the crime theme, even while it guarantees "Bar" has nary an idle or dull moment. Berkowitz and Redgrave come with an instinctive grasp of various milieus as well as their disparate speech tempos, although the lengthy interim between features might have left that one mired with increased ideas of computer can easily handle. Perfs are great, packaging polished while keeping the needed gritty atmosphere. A highlight may be the propulsive soundtrack of mostly local recording artists.Camera (color, HD), Tommy Maddox-Upshaw editors, Craig Hayes, Julie Janata music, Rob Darden production designer, Merje Veski set decorator, Adri Siriwatt costume designer, Sarah Staskaukas seem, Blair Scheller re-recording mixer, Eric Lalicata supervisory seem editors, Lalicata, Mandell Winter Mpse seem designer, Ryan McBride assistant director, Kwame Amoaku casting, Matt Lessall. Examined at Bay Area Jewish Film Festival, This summer 23, 2011. Running time: 96 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com