No one wants to age. In a perfect world, we’d all be 22 forever.
Sadly, we don’t live in a perfect world.
However, if you’re looking for a template on how to gracefully wade into your octogenarian years, look no further than Judd Hirsch’s portrayal of Mordecai in Marvin Samel’s delightful debut feature film, iMordecai.
The 100-minute slice-of-life light comedy tells the story of immigrant Holocaust survivor, painter/plumber, investor, husband, father and new iPhone user Mordecai. He lives in Florida with his declining wife, Fela (Carol Kane, reuniting with her Taxi co-star) close to their businessman son, Marvin (Sean Astin), his wife (Stephanie J. Block) and their twin children while navigating 2020s America.
As Mordecai struggles to get used to modern tech - he pecks away at a smartphone without much luck until he’s helped by tech gurus - we learn that he has as much to teach the younger generation as they do for him.
Samel, a first-time director, based the characters on his own family, and his loving portrayal of their wisdom and foibles demonstrates an even-handed interpretation of the real Mr. and Mrs. Samel. Are they the root of intergenerational trauma? Yes. Are they also the source of his privilege? Absolutely.
Since Samel attempts to cram every story in from his life using Hirsch, Kane and Astin as surrogates, the film can seem overstuffed at times. Plot lines centering around business deals gone wrong, dementia, art exhibits, a failed comedy show and a misunderstanding about Nazi lineage give the movie a herky-jerky pace but as it progressed, its rich tapestry began to make sense- the film is merely trying to demonstrate the messiness of life. Many things are going on in our busy days, the same is true of iMordecai.
Think of it this way- the movie is like a call with your grandfather. A lot is said and by the end you’re smiling.
Final verdict: Hirsch and Kane disappear into their roles as Eastern European immigrants; Sean Astin does career-best work as put-upon son and iMordecai finds the balance between light and dark.
If this is what getting old is like, sign me up.
