Bookends is a must-see film about a gay millennial who moves in with his grandparents. It’s an intergenerational story that celebrates Jewish culture and LGBTQ+ pride. Writer and actor Noam Ash sat down with me to share his inspiration.
The Toronto Jewish Film Festival is hosting the Canadian premiere of Bookends. Directed by Mike Doyle, it stars F. Murray Abraham and Caroline Aaron.
Nate (Noam Ash) moves from New York to his grandparents’ retirement community after a breakup. The aspiring author arrives at their house with a small duffel bag and a few bullet points for his book outline. Then he rebuilds his life with support from his grandparents and a new boyfriend.
Amidst all the hype around Duolingo, it was interesting to see how the movie incorporates Yiddish and German. It’s a thoughtful approach to language that shows how the script has many surprises.
Nate’s relationship with Daniel (Charlie Barnett) reminded me of Paul (Harrison Ford) on Apple TV’s Shrinking. Both characters end up dating their doctors, who become incredibly kind partners. During our interview, Noam said he’s a huge fan of Shrinking co-creator Brett Goldstein.
Bookends feels like an instant classic because it seems like an updated version of my favourite movie, In Her Shoes. Inspired by Jennifer Weiner’s book, the movie follows a young woman (Cameron Diaz) who moves in with her grandmother (Shirley MacLaine). I was excited to interview Mark Feuerstein on the 20th anniversary of In Her Shoes!
It’s a small world – costume designer Jacob Kosarian worked on both Bookends and Mark Feuerstein’s movie Guns & Moses. When I asked Noam about fashion, he said that he admires how much “thought and care [Jacob] put into not just Nate’s wardrobe but everyone’s.”
It was fun to chat with Noam Ash about technology, family and community. He shared his advice for creators and revealed some of his favourite Jewish stars in Hollywood.
Watch the full conversation on YouTube and subscribe for more interviews!
For screening information, visit the Toronto Jewish Film Festival to find out how to watch Bookends in person at Cineplex or online through the TJFF virtual cinema.
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