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'Ushpizin': Small comedy opens closed world

An unexpected delight from an unlikely source, "Ushpizin" is the first feature film set inside the closed community of Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox Jews.

It is also the first feature film to be made with their blessing — and help.

Picturehouse 'Ushpizin' B The verdict: You don't have to be Jewish to enjoy this offbeat charmer set in Jerusalem's ultra-Orthodox community. Director: Gidi Dar Starring: Shuli Rand, Michal Bat Sheva Rand, Shaul Mizrahi, Ilan Ganani Run time: 90 minutes Release date: Oct. 19, 2005 Language: In Hebrew with English subtitles Rating: PG for mild thematic elements. See showtimes On the web Official movie site View the trailer    Trailers require Quicktime Rate 'Ushpizin'   Go see it   Make it a matinee   Wait to rent   Don't bother Voter Limit: Once per Hour View Poll Results

And it's a comedy.

Still childless after five years of marriage, Moshe and Malli Bellanga (real-life marrieds, Shuli Rand and Michal Bat-Sheva Rand) believe the more they can do to follow God's specific directions for living a holy life, the likelier they are to have their prayers for a son answered. This can be a problem if you are so poor you can't afford a sukkah (a kind of temporary shelter) to honor the Sukkot harvest holiday.

When they miraculously obtain one, their next prayer is for guests — or ushpizin — with whom they can share the holiday feast.

You know what they say about being careful what you pray for. Two guests do arrive, a pair of escaped convicts, one of whom knew Moshe when he was, well, less devout. Their increasingly loutish behavior is taken by their hosts as further tests from God.

Broadly funny in the manner of the old Yiddish theater, the picture flirts with caricatures, but in an affectionate way. And though some of the details of Hasidic life may be difficult to understand, director Giddi Dar, a nonobservant Jew, makes sure we know enough of what's going on not to feel shut out.

It's tempting to oversell "Ushpizin." Please keep in mind, it's a small film, with a low-budget look and feel. Further, the performances are bigger than most moviegoers are accustomed to — think, Zero Mostel in the original 1968 version of "The Producers." But it's an unusual charmer with a serious underlying theme about how faith works in our lives. When Moshe and Malli literally dance for joy, it doesn't seem foolish. It seems absolutely right.