This Canadian music-fuelled comedy is more flop than top of the pops, but contains enough chutzpah to warrant a watch
Daniel AM Rosenberg’s musical comedy Less Than Kosher follows self-proclaimed “bad Jew” Viv, a washed-up singer at 30. She finds herself deliriously hungover after Yom Kippur, but after a trip to her family’s synagogue manages to fall “ass-first” into a job as a substitute cantor. What follows is Viv’s heartwarming and often darkly humorous reconnection with religion and community through her soaring capabilities behind the microphone.
Although there’s scope here for plenty of hilarity, many of the jokes don’t land. Often the scenes feel tonally oblivious, like when Viv finds herself flirting with the rabbi’s son by using Holocaust quips. It’s the classic Jeremy Clarkson theory of outrage first, think about substance later. But the finished product relies on being funny, else it strays into shock-for-the-sake-of-shock territory.
The script is predictable and although there are strong performances from leads Shaina Silver-Baird and David Reale, much of the characterisation is inconsistent. At the end of the episode, Viv is all too happy to forgive her agent, who gives her another shot at fame after seeing TikTok clips of the singer go viral. Her cold exterior melts away and this new Viv is a million miles from everything we’ve been led to believe about the singer. Less Than Kosher treads an admittedly difficult line between absurd comedy and a wholesome do-the-right-thing family tale, but this often leads to something unbelievable and it’s hard to sympathise with many of the characters.
The magical realism that transpires whenever Viv sings is done well and we are successfully transported to various otherworldly realms. Silver-Baird also shows off an impressive versatility, demonstrating an extremely good voice and turning in a strong performance throughout. Equally, the illicit scenes are entertaining and often genuinely funny. Attending a strict family function the morning after an evening of mind-altering substances? Sure, we’ve all been there.
When the hell-raising feels realistic and character tropes fall on the right side of formulaic, Less Than Kosher is an engrossing watch. Viv’s journey of self-discovery via drug trips and tense family drama is a delightful premise, but its weak narrative means the feature is akin to the protagonist’s music career: entertaining for the most part, but ultimately it falls flat.
By Tom McGhie
Less Than Kosher is screening as part of the UK Jewish Film Festival online until Monday 27 November. Films are available to watch for 72 hours after purchase. ukjewishfilm.org
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