Parents' Guide to

The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch

By Barbara Shulgasser-Parker, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 15+

Comedy about Orthodox Jewish man; cursing, sex, drugs.

Movie NR 2019 90 minutes
The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this movie.

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What's the Story?

The AWAKENING OF MOTTI WOLKENBRUCH tells a familiar story of a child trying to break from family, cultural, and religious expectations to marry within the group. In this case, the setting is an Orthodox Jewish community in Switzerland. College student Motti (Joel Basman) is the Wolkenbruch's youngest son -- his older siblings are all married. He's stubbornly turning down every "shidduch" (arranged match) the family sets up with nice Jewish girls from nice Jewish families. To his mother's outrage, he insists on feeling a "spark" with the woman he's expected to marry. He worries that in his early twenties, when Orthodox Jews dictate their children marry and start families, that his life will be over before it begins. Then he falls hard for the beautiful Laura (Noemie Schmidt), a "shiksa" (non-Jewish girl) in his economics class. Improbably, she sets out, almost as a lark, to show him her non-Orthodox world, starting with the dance bar she waitresses in, and including drinking excessive amounts of alcohol and having sex outside of marriage. In a panic, Motti's parents send him to Israel to find a girl there, but instead he's seduced by a free-spirited Israeli girl. When his parents find out, he's shipped home, an act that sends him into the arms of Laura. Motti is kicked out of the house, putting a strain on the relationship with Laura. Whether Motti will separate from his family or stay within the fold is left undetermined.

Is It Any Good?

Our review:
Parents say: Not yet rated
Kids say: Not yet rated

This movie relies on an endearing performance by Basman as Motti, the Jewish boy who doesn't want to say yes to the life set out for him by his religion and community. Viewers unfamiliar with specific Orthodox practices and Yiddishisms will nevertheless be able to relate. Just substitute for the institutional isolation of this Orthodox community equally separatist practices of other groups -- Muslims, Hindus, Mormons and other Christian sects. The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch seems to argue in favor of finding one's own path rather than simply rejecting heritage for no good reason.

On the minus side, the director fails to get past stereotypes of comically-overbearing Jewish mothers. Motti's mother (Inge Maux) actually hides in the bushes to spy on his meeting with an approved "nice Jewish girl." Mom also faints dramatically at the news that her son loves a shiksa, then she regains her strength sufficiently to heave all his clothes out the door. Among the nice touches -- the one person who understands and encourages Motti's adventurousness is a dying wealthy client who reads Motti's tarot cards and approves of his exploration. Moving scenes between the two of them suggest that someone near death's door may have valuable insight into the importance of seizing opportunities as they arise rather than accepting a life laid out for you by your parents.

Talk to Your Kids About ...

  • Families can talk about the difficult moment in life when young adults question whether they want to accept and carry on traditions learned from families or look to other ways of living. Can you tell which path Motti will take at the end of The Awakening of Motti Wolkenbruch? What are some clues as to what he plans to do?

  • Many religions and cultures pose strict limitations regarding adult behavior. Why do you think parents and community might be upset if a child decides to marry someone outside of the religion or culture?

  • Do you think more mixing would make the world a more tolerant place, or do you think people can maintain their differences and also accept the differences of others at the same time?

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