The Hebrew Hammer (2003)

User Rating:

6.2/10   

Director:

Jonathan Kesselman

Writer:

Jonathan Kesselman (writer)

Release Date:

25 March 2004 (Australia)

Genre:

Comedy

Tagline:

Part man. Part street. 100% kosher.

Plot:

An orthodox Jewish blaxploitation hero saves Hanukkah from the clutches of Santa Claus's evil son.

Plot Keywords:

Jewish | Hanukkah | Blaxploitation | Shotgun | Cult Favorite

Cast

Adam Goldberg	...	Mordechai Jefferson Carver
Judy Greer	...	Esther Bloomenbergensteinenthal
Andy Dick	...	Damian Claus
Mario Van Peebles	...	Mohammed Ali Paula Abdul Rahim
Peter Coyote	...	JJL Chief Bloomenbergensteinenthal
Nora Dunn	...	Mrs. Carver
Sean Whalen	...	Tiny Tim
Tony Cox	...	Jamal
Richard Riehle	...	Santa
Melvin Van Peebles	...	Sweetback
Rachel Dratch	...	Tikva
Harrison Chad	...	Schlomo
Jim Petersmith	...	Skinhead Bartender
Annie McEnroe	...	Mrs. Highsmith
Grant Rosenmeyer	...	Young Mordechai

MPAA:

Rated R for language, some sexual references and drug use.

Runtime:

85 min | Argentina:87 min (Buenos Aires Festival Internacional de Cine Independiente)

Country:

USA

Language:

English | Hebrew | Yiddish

Color:

Black and White | Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

USA:Unrated | USA:R | Australia:M | Argentina:13

Company:

Intrinsic Value Films

Trivia:

The original script called for a cameo from US Senator Joseph Lieberman (I-Con), but Lieberman turned it down, so the role went to former New York City mayor Edward I. Koch, who was recruited at the last minute by one of the producers.

Goofs:

Factual errors: When the Hammer is in his car, it has a normal Florida license plate. When there is close up, it shows that it is a New York license vanity plate that says "L'CHAIM". This is seen later in the movie when he talks to Shlomo and gives him a tape from the trunk.

Quotes:

Mrs. Carver: So, what are your plans for after the wedding?
Mordechai Jefferson Carver: Kill you.

Movie Connections:

References I'm Gonna Git You Sucka (1988)

Well Executed comedy.

This movie reminded me of "UnderCover Brother". Sure, this movie was rather tasteless and obviously a low budget film. It was very funny. I myself am Jewish and was able to laugh and relate to this movie. I do not know if you would enjoy it if you were of another religion, but I still recommend this movie. There were many hidden references and of course some basic Yiddish humor packaged in. It easily could have been a modern Mel Brooks movie, and if you enjoy his humor i recommend this film. Although some jokes became repetitive, and were overdone, there are many MANY funny jokes that I could laugh about.

This is one of those movies you should see multiple times. I guarantee you will catch more jokes and references making each viewing funny. So overall it was a cheap lo budget comedy. But a Funny cheap low budget comedy. A rare find indeed.