The concept of occasionally introducing a scene that looked like it could have been in West Side Story works - and it's brilliant. As is the production, the sets, costumes, hair & make-up, as well as the acting.
But the critically acclaimed writing could be improved. At least SOME of the main characters could be likable. It could be funnier. Yes, I like intelligent humor, but this needs more of that peppered in. It also could be more authentic. So much attention was paid to getting the details of the era perfectly, but none to the Jewish background, which would be fine if the main characters weren't Jewish. It feels like some of the writers and actors are not Jewish...and are guessing, or putting on something they're not. And for what? There aren't enough unemployed Jewish writers and actors in Hollywood? I find that doubtful. If it was a story about an African American family and you had a bunch of white people playing supposedly black roles, you'd notice, even if you're not black. Here, you might not have noticed if you're not Jewish, but the critics who are ranting and raving Hallelujah should have. Minus two points. Jew it up!
But the critically acclaimed writing could be improved. At least SOME of the main characters could be likable. It could be funnier. Yes, I like intelligent humor, but this needs more of that peppered in. It also could be more authentic. So much attention was paid to getting the details of the era perfectly, but none to the Jewish background, which would be fine if the main characters weren't Jewish. It feels like some of the writers and actors are not Jewish...and are guessing, or putting on something they're not. And for what? There aren't enough unemployed Jewish writers and actors in Hollywood? I find that doubtful. If it was a story about an African American family and you had a bunch of white people playing supposedly black roles, you'd notice, even if you're not black. Here, you might not have noticed if you're not Jewish, but the critics who are ranting and raving Hallelujah should have. Minus two points. Jew it up!