Geeky charisma
Adam Brody, 24, has to rank as the hottest Jewish actor under 30. As recently reported in the New York Times, it was largely his acting ability and geeky charm that turned what the producers envisioned as a somewhat secondary role (the “half-Jewish” Seth Cohen on the hit Fox series “The O.C.”) into an audience favorite.
Raised in a secular Jewish home in San Diego, Brody delivers a one-two punch of amiability and personal warmth that has landed him in two big upcoming movies. Besides a large supporting role in “Mr. and Mrs. Smith,” starring Brad Pitt, he has the romantic lead in “In the Land of Women,” opposite Meg Ryan. (“Women” is directed by first -time director Jonathan Kasdan, the son of “Big Chill” director Lawrence Kasdan.)
The younger Kasdan said he cast Brody in “Women” because Adam is that rare thing, an accessible charismatic.” Translation: Brody’s a nice guy whom audiences like.
‘Polar Express’ chugs in
“The Polar Express,” a movie adapted from a children’s Christmas book by Chris Van Allsburg, opened this week to good reviews and it will certainly become a blockbuster hit. Van Allsburg converted to Judaism over 20 years ago. Huh? Well, first off you should know that “The Polar Express” is a secular Christmas story, if you count Santa as a secular figure.
But, there’s no doubt that Christmas movies are a part of the “December dilemma,” the Jewish reaction to the cultural juggernaut that is Christmas.
In a recent interview in Yankee magazine, Van Allsburg gives some perspective on “the problem.” In response to a question about how he “kept the magic of Christmas alive for his children,” he replied: “It’s an interesting question. … We have a Jewish household. I converted when I married Lisa. My wife wasn’t a hardliner about it, and little displays of Christmas were all right. But the theater you need to produce for kids requires both parents on board. Oh, I hung stockings, and we told all the tall tales about Santa. …”
It appears that the Van Allsburgs, who have two daughters, have found a way to meld their traditions in a way that works for them. Others may differ.
‘One Night With the King’
No, it’s not a story about Elvis, but a movie about Queen Esther. A smallish, independent Christian company is making the film, based on a novel by Tommy Tenny, an evangelical Christian writer.
However, Susan Zahn, the film’s publicist, told me that the big-budget film is looking for a crossover market of secular and Jewish moviegoers, and there are no specifically Christian allusions mixed in with the Purim story retelling.
Starring as Esther is Tiffany Dupont, who was discovered in a talent search. Such notables as Peter O’Toole (as the prophet Samuel) and Omar Sharif (as a Persian prince) have signed on. “King” is scheduled for release on March 25, close to the Passover and Easter holidays.
Columnist Nate Bloom, an Oaklander, can be reached at [email protected].