While intending to bridge the gap between boyhood and manhood, bar mitzvahs can often more closely resemble extravagant sweet-sixteen parties than actual religious ceremonies. It is this trend that forms the basis of KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS, a family comedy about what happens when a Hollywood agent uses his son's bar mitzvah as a vehicle for outspending his nemesis. Jeremy Piven perfectly inhabits the role of Adam Fiedler, a character strikingly similar to that of his star turn as Ari Gold on the HBO series ENTOURAGE. Energetic and fast-talking, Adam approaches his son Benjamin's bar mitzvah in the same way he deals with business, stopping at nothing to make his son's party more excessive than anything thrown by the competition. But will this conspicuous spending achieve anything, aside from alienating Adam's son (SPY KIDS' Daryl Sabara) and wife (Jami Gertz), and making Adam look like a fool? Through Benjamin's voiceovers, we learn that he is not only against such an elaborate affair, but is terrified of having to master Hebrew in time for the ceremony. While Adam craves the limelight associated with such an event, Benjamin would rather not be the center of attention. Wise beyond his years, Benjamin decides to use the event as a means to reunite his father with his estranged grandfather, Irwin (Garry Marshall).

KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS explores ideas of growth, with the film's 13-year-old protagonist Benjamin displaying more maturity than most of the adults in the film. Directed by Scott Marshall, the film, while sometimes predictable, benefits from a star-studded cast (including Doris Roberts, Cheryl Hines, and Daryl Hannah) and a well-written script. A coming-of-age story filled with Jewish humor, the film should appeal to viewers of all ages.

Theatrical Release: May 12, 2006

DVD Features:

Region 1
Keep Case
Anamorphic Widescreen - 1.85
Full Frame - 1.33
Audio:
Dolby Digital Surround Sound 5.1 - English, Spanish
Subtitles - French - Optional
Additional Release Material:
Featurette:
1. KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS: Behind-The-Scenes
2. Deleted Scenes
Audio Commentary:
1. Scott Marshall - Director, Mark Zakarin - Writer/Producer
2. Scott Marshall - Director, Garry Marshall - Actor

Distributor Notes: Keeping Up With The Steins

All hilarity breaks loose in this heartwarming coming-of-age comedy when three generations collide in a crazy family reunion . . . and then begin to see that they are much more alike than they'd originally thought! Providing nonstop laughs In the tradition of MY BIG FAT GREEK WEDDING, KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS stars Jeremy Piven (TV?s ENTOURAGE), Jami Gertz (ALLY MCBEAL), Daryl Hannah (KILL BILL) and Garry Marshall (A LEAGUE OF THEIR OWN). Also starring Doris Roberts (TV's EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND), Cheryl Hines (TV's CURB YOUR ENTHUSIASM), and Larry Miller (THE PRINCESS DIARIES).

Source: Buena Vista Home Entertainment

Jeremy Piven: TV/stage/film actor, Entourage/SMOKIN' ACES
Jami Gertz: American actress
Daryl Hannah: American actress, SPLASH, KILL BILL, STEEL MAGNOLIAS
Cheryl Hines: Actress
Garry Marshall: American Director/Producer, BEACHES
Larry Miller: American comedian, television actor
Doris Roberts: American television actress, EVERYBODY LOVES RAYMOND
Daryl Sabarra: 
Richard Benjamin: American Actor/Director

Scott Marshall: Writer/director

David Scharf: producer
A.D. Oppenheim: Producer

Mark Zakarin: Writer, KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS (2006)

John Debney: Composer/"Hocus Pocus"

Tara Timpone: 

"Bar mitzvahs -- like birthday parties and weddings -- have evolved into increasingly elaborate and extravagant affairs. KEEPING UP WITH THE STEINS does a clever job of lampooning that ridiculous excess."