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Cast: Adam Pascal (Rent), Amy Davidson (TV's - 8 Simple Rules for Dating My Teenage Daughter) and Natasha Lyonne (American Pie, Slums of Beverly)
Former boy-band icon Bobby Star is clinging to days gone by. Desperate and unemployed, he begs his agent Murray to land him a decent gig. But beggars can't be choosers, and Murray finds a weeklong job for Bobby at the grand opening of the world's first glatt kosher hotel-casino, the Mazel Hotel. So what does a blond gentile has-been pop sensation have in common with this Jewish orthodox world? The answer becomes clear when we discover the hotel owner's daughter, Rebekka, who has harbored a huge secret crush on Bobby Star ever since childhood though she is about to be married off to the son of a powerful Kabala rabbi, and the janitor Ty, an African-American hip-hop whiz who teaches Bobby a thing or two about Jewish soul. The ultra-orthodox American-Jewish world is alive and kicking. But how does it cope with modern times? This age-old question is dealt with in the entertaining musical comedy before us. Bobby's TV goes dark at sundown on Friday; his beloved cell-phone is confiscated during the Sabbath; his Grey Goose vodka is replaced with Manischewitz; and "kosher enforcers" are on the lookout for "treyf smugglers."
This fish out of water tale premiered at the Jerusalem Jewish Film Festival in Israel to sold out screenings but it doesn't matter what nationality or Religion you might be because this has universal appeal. The story is about ex-boyband pop idol, Bobby Starr, who is booked to headline the grand opening of the first Kosher Casino in the Catskill Mountains of New York. The reason he gets this unlikely booking is that the daughter of the hotel owner, Rebekkah has a secret crush on Bobby Starr, hiring him to perform live at the hotel is her last act of rebellion before she might commit to her arranged marriage. There's a lot to like here, you get a nice mix of culture, some good music, lots of laughs and even some romance. The cast is terrific and each actor does a terrific job playing their characters but the spotlight performances are by Adam Pascal as Bobby and Amy Davidson the Orthodox Jewish girl who wants something she is not allowed to have. This is a feel good movie that provides lots of laughs along the way which are sometimes hilarious and if you are not familiar with Jewish culture you get to learn a little as well. Rebekka has eyes for Bobby and he too has eyes for her but changing the plans and convincing her family becomes a difficult task but you are sure to have a great time finding out. There's a lot to like about the movie but one of the things I really felt was it's energy, this is a lively romantic comedy with some great music that just leaves you with a smile on face. If you are looking for something light and fun to watch then I highly recommend picking this one up today, I am sure you will find it to be as interesting and funny as I did. "Falling Star" is one of those gems you never heard of before but after watching it you are sure run to tell your friends and family about it. I recommend picking it up today, you will be glad you did.
Released by Osiris Entertainment
**** Out Of *****