Geld or G-d?
By Miranda Inganni
In a case of one man living an extreme double life, Holy Rollers tells the tale of a young Rabbi-in-training turned drug dealer.
Based on the true story of an Israeli drug dealer who used young Hasidic Jews as his drug mules between Europe and the US in the late 1990s, Holy Rollers stars Jesse Eisenberg as Sam Gold. While Sam’s family believes the oldest son has what it takes to be a good Rabbi and husband to Zeldy Lazar (Stella Keitel), Sam has strong doubts about their faith in his future -- especially when the arranged marriage to Zeldy is called off.
After turning to his outgoing neighbor, Yosef Zimmerman (Justin Bartha) -- the older brother to his best friend, Leon (Jason Fuchs) -- for something else in life, Sam and Leon agree to travel to Amsterdam to pick up what they believe is medicine for “rich people.” Only when they return to New York do Sam and Leon learn that the medicine is actually the illegal (as of 1985) narcotic, MDA --better known as "ecstasy." Leon quickly realizes the danger of his brother’s endeavors and unsuccessfully tries to convince Sam to forget about the geld and return to god.
Seduced by the money he believes can help his family, Sam continues working with Yosef and his boss, Jackie Solomon (Danny A. Abeckaser). Sam quickly falls for Jackie’s girlfriend and business partner, Rachel (Ari Graynor), and the lifestyle his new job affords him. Sam’s family realizes that things are not kosher, thus refusing the gifts he buys them. Disappointed in his lack of dedication to his religious studies, Sam's father (Mark Ivanir) ignores his son’s business acumen in the fabric shop in which Sam hopes to work with his father. But Jackie recognizes Sam’s shrewd business sense as an asset and a way to increase his cents. Of course, this can’t end well.
Directed by Kevin Asch and written by Antonio Macia, Holy Rollers' stereotypes are heavy handed, but apply to all characters enough to avoid making them seem like caricatures. Refreshingly low on violence for a drug movie and quite humorous at times, the script and acting lend levity to this otherwise loaded subject matter.
