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Family Prayers

Play trailer Family Prayers PG 1993 1h 48m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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Tomatometer 1 Reviews Popcornmeter Fewer than 50 Ratings
Andrew Jacobs (Tzvi Ratner-Stauber) is a Jewish teen preparing for his impending bar mitzvah and contending with the burden of growing up in a troubled home. Andrew's father, Martin (Joe Mantegna), has a serious gambling addiction that's causing harm to the family, and his wife, Rita (Anne Archer), unsuccessfully tries to get him to quit his compulsion. While Andrew hopes that his upcoming celebration will help his parents become closer again, things may not work out that way.

Critics Reviews

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Emanuel Levy EmanuelLevy.Com Producer Scott Rosenfelt makes a modest directorial debut with this small, well-intentioned Jewish coming-of-age story that's full of heart if not inegenuity. Rated: 3/5 Jun 28, 2006 Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Audience Member First movie, Brittany Murphy has a non-speaking role as one of the girls at the party playing spin the bottle who first kisses Andrew. This coming of age story set in the 1960s takes a look at the effects of a couple's break-up on a sensitive, thirteen year old Jewish boy in the 1960s. The story is effectively told from the teenager's point-of-view--the script is sharp and offers insight into the difficulties young people often face when they are forced to make that transition into adulthood. The cast is solid, particularly Joe Mantegna and Anne Archer as the parents and Patti Lupone as Archer's opinionated sister. I also appreciated how the film doesn't O.D. on the 1960s--its treatment is subtle and adds nuance to the coming-of-age aspects of the story. I enjoyed this film because it took me back to a place and time when I started to realize that the world is a far more complicated place than I imagined. I also appreciated how Ginsberg's screenplay treats the relationship (and tension) between the father and mother--very real and emotional without being over the top! Check it out! Rated 4 out of 5 stars 02/05/23 Full Review Read all reviews
Family Prayers

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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

Synopsis Andrew Jacobs (Tzvi Ratner-Stauber) is a Jewish teen preparing for his impending bar mitzvah and contending with the burden of growing up in a troubled home. Andrew's father, Martin (Joe Mantegna), has a serious gambling addiction that's causing harm to the family, and his wife, Rita (Anne Archer), unsuccessfully tries to get him to quit his compulsion. While Andrew hopes that his upcoming celebration will help his parents become closer again, things may not work out that way.
Director
Scott M. Rosenfelt
Producer
Mark Levinson, Bonnie Sugar
Screenwriter
Steven Ginsberg
Production Co
Earthquake Productions
Rating
PG
Genre
Drama
Original Language
English
Runtime
1h 48m
Sound Mix
Stereo, Surround