Simchas and Sorrows

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Simchas and Sorrows

Released Sep 16, 2022

1h 56m

Comedy

Drama

Romance

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Popcornmeter

78%

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9 Reviews

97%

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50+ Ratings

SIMCHAS AND SORROWS is an independent romantic comedy about a secular, free-spirited artist and former Catholic school girl, Agnes, who must come to terms with religion in order to marry the love of her life -- Levi. Shocked by a surprise pregnancy, the earnest Agnes agrees to begin converting to Judaism, in an effort to be accepted by Levi's more conservative Jewish family. Learning to join the tribe and follow the herd proves no easy task for someone who has spent her whole life questioning, and then breaking, the rules. As Agnes and Levi study with the progressive, courageous Rabbi Cohen, they discover all is not what it appears to be on the surface. As family secrets come to light, Agnes and Levi are forced to grapple with life's big questions. The film explores an evolving, modern Judaism, orthodoxies and hypocrisy, sibling rivalry, modern love, mental illness, artistic inheritance, and anti-Semitism.

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Stephen Silver

Splice Today

Skillfully navigates about a half-dozen of modern Judaism's most frought topics, but is nevertheless too long by about a half hour

Rated: 3/5

Sep 30, 2022

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Robert Denerstein

Denerstein Unleashed

No arguing with the message, but a last-minute revelation feels like a cop-out and, to me at least, it didn't feel as if the movie had fully engaged with its subject.

Sep 19, 2022

Full Review

Neely Swanson

Easy Reader (California)

Just sit back and enjoy. You don’t always need a masterpiece to have a good time.

Sep 14, 2022

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Josh Bell

Crooked Marquee

Winds through their relationship for nearly two hours, only to end up with shortcuts and compromises that seem dissatisfying for both the couple and the audience.

Rated: C+

Sep 14, 2022

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Harvey S. Karten

Shockya.com

Bittersweet tale of an atheism who is converting to Judaism without great fanfare.

Rated: B

Sep 11, 2022

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Jonita Davis

The Black Cape (Medium)

The story is easy to comprehend but may prove too dull in several places for those who have no connection to the Jewish culture. Rabbi Cohen offers some goods but not enough. I certainly wanted to fast forward to the Rabbi's sermons and skip the rest.

Rated: 2/5

Aug 9, 2022

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olivia w

Loved it - so thoughtful and enjoyable! Genevieve Adams doesn't miss

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/30/23

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Audience Member

Awesome movie and incredible acting!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/27/22

Full Review

iris s

Excellent film . I highly recommend.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

nora a

A true love story! See it!

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

bernie g

Genevieve Adams has given us an entertaining film that is beautifully shot in Brooklyn. She takes us through a journey that includes the challenges that many of us have wrestled with in life. The heroine addresses these with honesty, thoughtfulness and intellectual curiosity, magnified by memorable performances from New York theater icons John Cullum and Julie Halston. So break out the popcorn, settle in with a loved one and enjoy!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

ellie d

Amazing indie film!!!!! Actors were amazing and script was beautifully written. The whole production evoked joy, nostalgia, laughter and grief all in one. Must see!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

11/16/22

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Genevieve Adams

Director

Genevieve Adams

Agnes

Thomas McDonell

Levi

Hari Nef

Rabbi Cohen

Luke Forbes

Everett

Julie Halston

Maude

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Simchas and Sorrows: Trailer 1

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Synopsis

SIMCHAS AND SORROWS is an independent romantic comedy about a secular, free-spirited artist and former Catholic school girl, Agnes, who must come to terms with religion in order to marry the love of her life -- Levi. Shocked by a surprise pregnancy, the earnest Agnes agrees to begin converting to Judaism, in an effort to be accepted by Levi's more conservative Jewish family. Learning to join the tribe and follow the herd proves no easy task for someone who has spent her whole life questioning, and then breaking, the rules. As Agnes and Levi study with the progressive, courageous Rabbi Cohen, they discover all is not what it appears to be on the surface. As family secrets come to light, Agnes and Levi are forced to grapple with life's big questions. The film explores an evolving, modern Judaism, orthodoxies and hypocrisy, sibling rivalry, modern love, mental illness, artistic inheritance, and anti-Semitism.

Director: Genevieve Adams
Producer: Genevieve Adams, Matt Ott, Jackie Donohoe, Hari Nef, Hannah Swayze, Lila Claghorn
Screenwriter: Genevieve Adams
Distributor: Gravitas Ventures
Production Co: Term Paper Productions, Ataria Pictures
Genre: Comedy, Drama, Romance
Original Language: English
Release Date (Theaters): Sep 16, 2022, Limited
Runtime: 1h 56m

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