Go for Zucker (Dani Levy, Germany). 91 min. Subtitled. Wednesday (May 11), 5 pm. Bloor. Rating: NNN Rating: NNN
After the lame directorial debut of noted actor David Duchovny, it’s nice to see thespian Dani Levy (Aimee And Jaguar) make Germany’s first Jewish comedy a box-office hit.
Jaeckie Zuckerman, one-time sportscaster turned gambling fool (hysterical Henry Hübchen ), needs to win a pool tournament to get loan sharks off his back. Trouble is, it’s the week of his mother’s shivah. If he wants her inheritance, he has to get his family to sit with him, including his estranged religious brother and a daughter ( Anja Franke ) who hates him.
Though disturbing family secrets feel like they belong in another picture and the end is too pat, there’s much to root for in this sharply written comedy with surprising heart.
