The Pickle Recipe (Michael Manasseri, 2016): USA

Review by Phill Hunziker. Viewed as part of the Santa Barbara International Film Festival 2016.

There is a place in the world for films like this. Upbeat indie comedies have the fortune of lower expectations. They don’t have to try too hard for the big laugh; that’s not what’s expected. Films like this require a solid premise, consistent giggle/laugh-inducing bits and a well-crafted sweetness that either commentates on human nature or invokes sentimental feeling. The Pickle Recipe hits all three thanks to enlightened direction, an inspiring cast and the smooth collaboration between all involved.

Joey Miller (Jon Dore) is a good-hearted party MC who just cannot catch a break. After an absurd disaster at a wedding destroys his equipment, his ability to put on the best bar-mitzvah for his daughter, Julie (Taylor Groothuis), is up in the air. Up to his neck in debt and desperation, he is convinced by his sleazy uncle Morty (David Paymer) to steal his grandmother Rose’s (Lynn Cohen) famed pickle recipe. He enlists his good friend and struggling ‘comic’ Ted (Eric Edelstein) for aid. As he gets closer to his complex-but-loving grandmother and those who work at her restaurant, Irv’s Deli, his conscience comes into play. Steal from your grandmother or break your daughter’s heart? Rock and a hard place.

A well-crafted cinematographic, aesthetic and musical design establishes the to-be-mentioned running themes and tone of the film. That’s a tribute to solid direction.

In speaking with the director, he emphasized the importance of the talent he had to work with on screen. As a former comic actor, Manasseri understood how excessive control would be both unnecessary and detrimental to the comedic processes of the actors. He set the stage and tone for the characters and gave them free range to collaborate, improvise and explore multiple levels of comedic and sentimental nature. That paid dividends, for sure. Not only is there a consistent presence of giggle-inducing gags and absurd situations, but there is a deep and warm-hearted underlying aura that slowly builds up to the wonderful climax in which human nature is so eloquently touched upon.

The comedy is only half the reason for which this film will keep you smiling throughout. There is a general pleasantness about it that is paced by both the comedy and the aforementioned warm-hearted nature of the film. The idea that everybody has their issues, no matter how revered, is not a new one. However, the way in which that and other aspects of human nature are handled is how the film is so successful in this regard. While maintaining a light-hearted feeling, the characters provide and develop a surprising amount of depth. Each character struggles with real life issues, both internal and external. Each handles them in their own unique way, which leads to a diverse array of laughs and touching moments.

The film is nothing without its wonderful cast.

Lead man Jon Dore is a toned-down Dane Cook-type who masters the art of the lovable loser. David Paymer plays the desperate, scheming sympathetic sleaze-bag perfectly well. Eric Edelstein absolutely kills it as a surreally rambunctious sidekick who proves to be much more than just a one-dimensional buffoon. The supporting cast has no weak-links, including the colorful employees of Irv’s Deli, the young adorable Taylor Groothuis, and the lovably dimwitted and ignorantly arrogant Brandon Layne.

The star that shines brightest though is the wonderful Lynn Cohen. Her performance is the anchor of the entire film. Like the narrative, she seemingly effortlessly shifts between comedic lunacy and heart-warming sweetness. She captures the truth and beauty of humanity. Her character is not perfect, but we can’t help but fall in love with her. To top it all off, she’s even sweeter in real life. I spoke with Mrs. Cohen at the SBIFF, and her description of how she approached this role matches the aforementioned effect. As she only takes on roles she finds non-cliche, this character and the script both played to her strengths as an actress and piqued her interest as an artist. She emphasized the desire to capture real-life character growth, the importance of family (for good and bad) and the beauty of life in general. She succeeded and more in all regards.

The film, as a whole, does as well. Everything just flows so smoothly. At no part of the film is there a sense that the filmmakers were trying to hard. By setting a standard for filmmaking collaboration, they hit each note nicely with ease. They properly utilize genre mainstay themes, lines and situations in a way that avoids being cliche. The result is a well-rounded film that will keep you smiling from start to finish.

http://www.thepicklerecipe.com