The Jewish comedian’s new movie

Arts&Life movie review Is Jon Stewart DANIEL MCFADDEN/FOCUS FEATURES he turns on a dime with the classic political apology: “I am profoundly disappointed in the comments that I just made.” Irresistible has another disappointment in it, though. Much of the movie seems like it’s rooted in the version Still ‘Irresistible’? of politics Stewart made fun of for two decades on the Daily Show, instead of what it’s become in the five years since. The ugliest aspects of

The Jewish comedian’s new movie is warmed-over political satire. post-2016 campaigning — the active voter suppression, the bigoted dog-whistles, the willful ignorance of basic facts —

ANDREW LAPIN EDITOR go largely unremarked-upon here. In their place is material W here have you gone, Jon Stewart? Our nation turns its Washington Goes To Mr. Smith. Stewart casts his old Daily Show correspondent Steve various sound-bite inanities. Influence in politics has long been one of Stewart’s about Super PACs and bothsides emptiness that feels so … last election cycle. We can’t really blame lonely eyes to you. (Woo woo Carell as Gary Zimmer, an biggest hobbyhorses, and he Stewart, though. Reality outwoo.) NPR-loving Democratic stratrelishes the chance to lay into paced satire long ago, and it’s

The former Daily Show host, egist bemoaning his party’s the gulf between these yamhard to mock the political and longtime torch-bearer inability to connect with white mering Washington elites and establishment without becomfor a certain brand of causMidwestern voters in the wake the close-knit, largely white, ing a part of it. For a comic tic Jewish political humor, of Trump’s near-sweep of the supposedly apolitical group of like him, who’s usually so good has been largely absent from Rust Belt in 2016. When Gary voters they’re courting. The about keeping his finger on the public eye since he took his sees a viral video of a melfilm’s best bits send up the pulse, this opportunity must bow from the show in 2015. ancholy army colonel (Chris emptiness of this machine. have been pretty irresistible.

His timing was auspicious: Cooper) taking on his rural When Gary berates his staff

Stewart’s final episode was also Wisconsin town’s new immiby yelling “I need some “Irresistible” is available to rent from the same night that Donald grant registration policy at a Hispanics!” over and over, most VOD platforms.

Trump made his debut on the town hall, he’s instantly smitdebate stage in the Republican primaries, in the process further eroding the line between politics and comedy, news and “fake news.” Now Stewart is back with something that isn’t news at all. But it wants to be. Irresistible, a new movie he ten. This gun-toting, plainspoken veteran, he believes, is the Democrats’ ticket back to the White House. Gary’s demographic experiment becomes all-out war when his bleached-blonde Republican rival (Rose Byrne) catches wind of the race and DANIEL MCFADDEN/FOCUS FEATURES wrote and directed (his second throws her party’s campaign film after the 2014 Iran-set muscle behind the incumbent drama Rosewater), is a political mayor, transforming the town satire set in the post-Trump overnight into a grotesque era. It follows what happens carnival of outside money. when national political stratAnd the national media causes egists descend on a mayfurther trouble once they pick oral election in small-town up on the scoop; many cable

Wisconsin, trying to pervert news talking heads play themA Democratic strategist (Steve Carell) tries to convince a Wisconsinite (Mackensie it to their own agendas. Call it selves as they sputter through Davis) to back her father’s mayoral campaign in Jon Stewart’s “Irresistible”.

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NATE BLOOM COLUMNIST

THE PEACOCK SPREADS ITS WINGS

The new Peacock network premieres “for everybody” on July 15. Everybody comes with qualifiers. Certain cable company customers are already getting Peacock with their subscriptions. “Everybody” can see some of the shows (with ads) if they have an internet connection. If you pay $5 per month, you can see everything on Peacock. Peacock is connected to NBC, and many old NBC series will be on the channel. Peacock original series

On The Go virtual events | learnings

STAYING CONNECTED At this time of social distancing, the Jewish News will try to bring awareness to events/learning situations offered online by synagogues, temples and community organizations.

BOOK TALK ONGOING The Jewish Theological Seminary originally aired a talk by author Laura Arnold Leibman on “The Art of the Jewish Family” on June 22, 2020. View at jtsa.edu/art-of-the-jewishfamily. LIVESTREAM CONCERT 8 PM, JULY 11 The Chamber Music Society of Detroit will present another chamber music concert: Julia Bruskin on cello and Aaron Wunch on piano. View at CMDetroit.org. starting on July 15 include The Capture, Brave New World and Intelligence. Capture is a six-episode British series that aired in the U.K. last fall and got great reviews. It focuses on a British veteran of the Afghan War who is a suspect in a horrible domestic crime. Ron Perlman, 70, has a supporting role.

Brave New World stars Alden Ehrenreich, 30. It’s based on the famous 1932 dystopian novel by Aldous Huxley. Ehrenreich was discovered by Steven Spielberg, who chanced to see him in a funny bat mitzvah video. Ehrenreich is talented, but he’s had the misfortune to

AN AMERICAN CLASSIC 2-3:30 PM, JULY 14 The Jewish Historical Society of Michigan will present Barbara Cohn, co-author of The Detroit Public Library: An American Classic (2017) and a master’s candidate in museum studies at Johns Hopkins University, highlighting Jewish Detroiters instrumental in the foundation and sustenance of the Detroit Public Library from the 1800s to the 1960s. Hear many surprising and inspiring stories, including the conflict between the Detroit Library Commission and the Detroit Police “Censorship Squad.” Format: Zoom (virtual conference platform). Cost: Free for members, $18 for non-members. Register by 9 pm Monday, July 13. Instructions for joining the Zoom call will be sent the day before. star in three big-budget films that flopped (Beautiful Creatures, Rules Don’t Apply and Solo: A Stars Wars Story).You can see him at his best, I think, in Hail, Caesar!, a Coen brothers’ film that was a critical and box-office hit.

Finally, there’s Intelligence, a six-episode British sitcom set in the U.K. David Schwimmer, 53, co-stars as Jerry Bernstein, an American National Security Agency employee who acts as a liaison to a British cybercrime unit. The first season aired in Britain last February and a second season has been ordered. Schwimmer’s ex-wife, Zoe Buckman, 35, is a Brit and they have a 9-year-old daughter. Over on HBO, the documentary Showbiz Kids premieres on Tuesday, July 14. HBO publicity says: “[It] peels back Hollywood’s velvet curtain, shining a spotlight on the glamour and allure of working in the entertainment industry while also affording a sobering FAMILY ROOM SERIES 7:30 PM, JULY 12 The Ark in Ann Arbor presents Annie & Rod Capps, folk artists. View on the Ark’s Facebook page. Upcoming: 8 pm, July 14, enjoy Alex Cuba, singer-songwriter who performs in English and Spanish; and 8 pm, July 16, listen to Kiana June Webber, singer, formerly of Chelsea, Mich. WIND-DOWN WEDNESDAY 7 PM, JULY 15 Sib4Sib is hosting a Facebook live event featuring Dr. Jackie Issner, Ph.D,. licensed psychologist and Sib4Sib clinical adviser. Wind-down Wednesday is an opportunity to learn more about Sib4Sib and participate in a family-friendly mindfulness activity, like connecting with ones you love. On the Sib4Sib Facebook page. More info and to add to your calendar: Sib4Sib.org/wdw. window on the tolls that early success can take on young professionals.”

Interviewees include Mara Wilson, 32, and Evan Rachel Wood, 32. Both are the children of Jewish mothers and both were raised Jewish. Wilson’s first big role was in Mrs. Doubtfire (she was 6). She also starred in Matilda. Wood’s breakthrough role was in the film Thirteen. She was 15 when it opened. The documentary director is Alex Winter, 54. He began as a child actor and is best remembered as “Bill” in Bill and Ted’s Excellent Adventures (1990) and its 1991 film sequel. Born in the U.K., he was raised in the states by his American Jewish mother. As an adult, he’s had more success as a documentary maker than as an actor. However, he’ll hit the big screen again in August when a third Bill and Ted film adventure (co-starring Keanu Reeves as Ted)

is released. MEDITATION & MOVEMENT 8 PM, JULY 15 Federation’s We Need to Talk presents ttrained yoga and meditation teacher Stacy Bishop is back to once again help people relax, re-center and recharge. This class is open to all ages, and no experience is necessary. Info: Amy Wayne, (248) 203-1483, awayne@ jfmd.org.

READER ALERT ONGOING Southfield Public Library Summer Reading Program has begun. All summer programs will be virtual. Log your reading, complete challenges, play games and earn badges when you register at southfieldlibrary. readsquared.com.

Compiled by Sy Manello/Editorial Assistant. Send items at least 14 days in advance to calendar@ thejewishnews.com.