Putzel (2012) User Reviews

What a delightful package of entertainment!

[alxndr-628-304412 · 7/10 · 9 March 2013]

We previewed this film at the Cinema Society of San Diego, and what a delightful evening it was. The movie was tender, funny, adorable and elicited laughter and embraces from the audience. Each role was played out with understated, well-cast characters who delivered believable performances, making the entire movie feel like home.

Our guest speaker, Allegra Cohen, who played the part of Willa, and produced the movie, brought it all to life with her own energy and enthusiasm to the members' questions and comments.

Though the story is age-old (boy meets girl, unrequited love unfolds, and the end turns out okay), it's the characters, setting and acting that make it so tender and touching.

You'll want to catch this flick on your film festival circuit, and hopefully, when it's out in theaters and on Netflix!

Enjoy, it's a little bouquet of pleasantly-scented flowers that we can all appreciate!

Wow, Just all together BAD.

[doc-90 · 1/10 · 12 January 2015]

I'm somewhat shocked at all the stunningly glowing reviews for this film and how hauntingly similar they all are. I don't think the market is the only thing that smells fishy!

I went to see this film because it had been pushed as a positive film for the Jewish community. If this is positive for the Jewish community, then Blacula is the ultimate African American role model. OK, I'm being harsh, but it really wasn't a very good film.

The lead character, Putzel, was every bad Jewish stereotype available. But played in such an ineffective way as to not really matter. Like most of the characters in the film, you never really care about him. They all have frequent emotional outbursts, but they only seem to be because the script said emotional outburst. Melanie Lansky is a great actress wasted on this poorly written script. She is deeply distraught about something, but her dialogue doesn't give you a clue. Again, it seems to be a stage direction.

I think the core of the problem was a cookie cutter script. It was like a mad-libs version of script writing. It couldn't have been more exact formula in any other way. A then B then C then D. Just like teacher said. Since this is the first and last thing the screenwriter has written, lets hope it's a high school kid following a pattern he found online.

It was not bad because it tried too hard, or not hard enough, or was too anything. It was bad because it was bland, pallid, and went nowhere. Don't waste the time. If you want to visit New York, see Smoke, or 100 Cigarettes, or ANYTHING else.

A fantastically warm and relatable romantic comedy!

[buckd409 · 10/10 · 1 March 2013]

Putzel is a film which demonstrates that with love and the right amount of courage, you can break free from your metaphorically familial and mental shackles to reveal the person you are truly meant to be.

Through the keen directorial skill of Jason Chaet paired with Rick Moore's quirky, sensitive and a tiny bit raunchy writing, you find yourself deeply engrossed in a love story that is rarely seen nowadays. It is a tale with true heart and soul acted beautifully by the likes of Jack Carpenter, Melanie Lynskey, John Pankow and Susie Essman. And to top it all off, it is set in the historic and world renowned Upper West Side of Manhattan! What you find in the end is that there is a little bit of Putzel in all of us. We have our faults and our strengths and this film helps you decipher between the two. So get together with some friends and family, have a nosh and go see Putzel. You'll be glad you did!

Charming, disarming, delightful.

[woodvirt · 8/10 · 17 February 2013]

At times farcical, at times whimsical, PUTZEL is always true to itself. Walter (Jack Carpenter) is a young man grappling with his future. Paralyzed by both a familial legacy and his own neurosis, he struggles to achieve security and a clear path to happiness. Sally (Melanie Lynskey) presents an attractive yet thorny alternative to those expectations - but at a cost. In the end, freedom will come if only if he is able to - forgive me for this - swim against the tide. John Pankow's performance as the uncle continues to deepen in my memory. New York's Upper West Side gives an uncredited major performance. All principles are well cast but the secondary roles - Armando Riesco, Adrian Martinez, Jarleth Conroly, Steve Park - are delightful and nearly flawless. (A hilarious scene with Fred Berman will have to be kept hidden from his family.) Hard to believe it was shot on such a low budget. Definitely worth checking out - a modest gem.

Try the Fish!

[tony-968-613241 · 10/10 · 14 February 2013]

I thought Putzel was funny, sweet, edgy, and original. There were some surprisingly dark moments, that I wasn't expecting when I sat down to watch a movie about romance on the Upper West Side. I thought John Pankow really went there and gave a visceral performance that really stuck with me. I also found the fish obsessed delivery guy sub-plot to be warped and hilarious in a way that I so enjoyed. I respected the writing, and the realism and tension in the relationships portrayed. And the level of talent in the casting was really impressive, and so well utilized. I'm sure that this piece will have a lot of positive buzz on the festival circuit, and will be a treat for a wide audience when it receives distribution.

a fishy movie... in a wonderful way.

[idazu90 · 9/10 · 16 April 2014]

if you're an upper west side jew who is afraid to go below 59th st or above 116th st, you work in your family's fish store (and you plan to work there for the next 40 years of your life), this movie is actually about your life. so you should see it.

for the rest of you (and me) who don't fall into that category, here's why we should see it:

1. change is scary, but a lot of the times it's also so needed. this movie is a good reminder about that. 2. it has a lot of fish. fish can never be a bad thing. 3. also bagels. 4. you can never see too many love stories. this one will make you laugh, feel a little awkward and maybe even tear up. 5. this movie deserves to be seen more than any of the Hollywood glam movies that are out at the moment. this movie is real. 6. it gives an answer to the ultimate question that we've been asking for CENTURIES; what's a putzel?

so, yeah. just watch it. watch it now.

great romcom

[camsolloway · 8/10 · 3 February 2013]

Saw this at the Palm Springs Film Festival. My girlfriend picked it out and I didn't think I was going to like it. But I did. It was offbeat, without being annoying. And funny as hell, but also sad in parts. The story is about a guy who works in a deli in New York who's kind of a Woody Allen type. He spends most of the film trying to figure out what he wants to do with his life and falling in love with the wrong girl. The acting was great all around and there were a lot of actors you've seen before. The girl who played the lead was there and answered questions after it was over. (She also plays Rose on Two and a Half Men). When is the movie going to be in theaters?

Little bit of everything

[Legaminevie · 9/10 · 28 February 2013]

Putzel is the perfect blend of heartwarming and hilarious. A group of well written and well acted characters telling a story anyone can relate to. The acting, direction and script are so well done that you find yourself engaged by even the most minor characters. It encapsulates life on The Upper West side of Manhattan without alienating audiences elsewhere. Instead of being alienating it makes the Upper West side feel relatable, like it could be anywhere. Although at times it deals with surprising sad and dark subject matter it leaves you feeling hopeful. It also will make you laugh with some of the funniest moments you've seen in a film. These things and it's Billy Wilder like style make it an instant classic.

Loved PUTZEL!

[christi-711-421092 · 9/10 · 28 February 2013]

PUTZEL is an adorable, poignant, funny film set entirely on Manhattan's Upper West Side. While it does mix in some sad moments, the film ends on a hopeful, uplifting note. Walter, aka Putzel, is an endearing protagonist with whom I assume everyone can relate: We all have our insecurities and unfulfilled dreams. As the film develops, we realize Walter's issues stem from a particularly dysfunctional family relationship. Again, something to which most of us can relate. How Walter both acknowledges and transcends his past is the film's journey. If you have an opportunity to see a screening of PUTZEL, don't miss it. And let's hope this gem of a film finds wider distribution. It deserves it!

They don't make em like this anymore, but they should

[bill3031 · 9/10 · 1 March 2013]

If, like me, you've bemoaned the lack of character-based, pathos-filled, and genuinely laugh-out-loud funny relationship comedies lately, then Putzel will come as a welcome breath of whitefish and lox-scented air. With all the bite and heart of the best Billy Wilder movies, director Jason Chaet tells a story of dysfunctional romance and blighted dreams, set entirely within the delivery radius of an old-school, family-owned Manhattan deli. The stakes have never been higher for Walter "Putzel" Himmelstein as he gamely attempts to manage an uncertain future, a wildly egotistical uncle, an irrational phobia, and a deli counter, which all finally comes into focus for him when a ballet and fish-loving shiksa goddess played by the always great Melanie Lynskey plies (plee-ayys?) into his life. There's bona fide laughter and tears here, and it all comes in a witty, Manischewitz-soaked punch.

What's a PUTZEL?!?!

[shorteeroc24 · 8/10 · 24 February 2013]

No 3-D, CGI effects or robot monsters, but an unlikely superhero of sorts. PUTZEL is a charming throw-back to the simple art of storytelling. In an era of big budget movies, this indie rom-com is a breath of fresh air with a positive message - sometimes the scariest risk delivers happiness on a platter (maybe even on a "harry" platter;) Jason Chaet & Rick Moore bring a wonderful modern day Upper West Side fairytale to the screen. A film with a lot of laughs and moments where you find yourself "verklempt". Great, great ensemble cast! Stand-out performances by: Melanie Lynskey, Jack Carpenter, Steve Park, favorites John Pankow and Allegra Cohen. Also, Susie Essman breaks out of her normal character type and displays some solid acting chops. If you like to laugh, cry, and eat smoked fish, then throw on a "tank top" and see this movie!!!

Heartfelt New York Love Story

[samunderwood-nyc · 8/10 · 15 February 2013]

Saw the premiere of this at Woodstock Film Festival. A tremendous heartfelt comedy with an incredible ensemble cast. Jack Carpenter (Putzel) is an incredible young talent and John Pankow really knocks it out the park as his Uncle Sid. If you've ever enjoyed Melanie Lynskeys hilarious character on 3 1/2 Men, you will really enjoy her playing a real life complex character in this movie. If you are looking for something light-hearted with a poignant message served by terrific actors - this is the movie for you. I also learnt so much more about Lox than I ever knew before! Looking forward to what else Jason Chaet and Rick Moore bring to the screen.

Why do I keep quoting this movie!? Cause so much of it is memorable...

[stevejprowe · 9/10 · 15 February 2013]

I first caught this when it premiered at the Woodstock Film Festival, and it caught me completely off-guard. So much so that I jumped at the opportunity to see it again a few weeks later at its NYC premier to figure out if I really loved it as much as I thought. I did, and do. Jack Carpenter, Melanie Lynskey and Susie Essman are super-believable and endearing in their roles. There were at least 5 scenes that I laughed through so hard that popcorn was coming out of my nose. Here are a few things you won't stop saying for weeks: "-ish" ... "tickle, tickle" ... "Poseidon, King of the Sea!" ... "he loves _____, too much". You'll understand when you see it, and you should.

I simply loved it

[parafacebookdenaty · 8/10 · 7 March 2014]

I saw the film in a special screening in New York, then heard about a second screening and saw it again. I was in LA for vacations and saw it again. I fell in love with the characters right away. I'm not from USA and I'm not Jewish but I felt very close to them. The movie is beautifully acted, very sweet and funny, with just enough pain and sadness to keep it very human. It made me laugh at them and with them, but it also made me cry a little. I believe anyone would feel identified and enjoy it very much. I even recommended it to some friends in Australia! And they absolutely loved it. I think it's a must see.

Definitely go see it

[emilylkrull · 9/10 · 9 March 2014]

I saw a showing of Putzel in a private screening in New York City. After the screening was over I immediately asked when it would be coming out so that I could order a copy.

Putzel is classic storytelling at it's best. It had its moments where I laughed so hard I almost cried, and moments where I actually teared up. Through the skilled directorial work of Jason Chaet- Jack Carpenter, Melanie Lynskey, John Pankow and all the rest of the cast developed characters that made the audience want to know more about each of them (to even what fish they'd like to order).

I'd recommend Putzel to all of my friends and family. It's an ideal feel-good-about-life movie.

Great Film

[riven61 · 9/10 · 15 August 2013]

Putzel is a wonderful blend of entertainment and heart. More often than not romantic comedies follow a basic formula and rely on cheap tricks to tug on your heart strings and get a laugh or two. Putzel effortlessly grabs your attention with its charismatic characters, and genuinely funny scenes. I found myself laughing out loud more than once in this intelligently written, and wonderfully acted independent film. There are particularly strong performances from the leads, Jack Carpenter, Melanie Lynskey, and John Pankow. It's rare to see a romantic comedy that's actually about something. Kudos to Producer/Actress Allegra Cohen, Director Jason Chaet, and Writer Rick Moore for putting together this wonderfully enjoyable film.

Funny, thoughtful and well written!

[bullet3344 · 9/10 · 7 March 2014]

I watched a screening of the film at the Napa Festival and I could not have been happier with my decision.

The story of Putzel is one that all of us can relate to in one way or another. It's about a man who wants to make the best life he can for himself without letting down the ones he loves in the process. And fish. It's also about fish.

The performances are honest and an absolute delight to watch. The dialogue and story pop with vibrant gusto reminiscent of Woody Allen.

I cannot wait for this to come out so that I can share the experience with my friends and family.

An unsuspectingly delightful film about love and lox

[Thadhenry3 · 8/10 · 8 March 2014]

A friend of mine brought me to see a screening of Putzel back in 2013 in New York and I'm not a huge fan of independent movies. I prefer major motion picture more, personally. I assumed this to be just another indie, but I was delightfully wrong and enjoyed Putzel far more than I anticipated. It was hysterically sweet, packed with a bunch of killer one liners that my buddy and I still say to each other. The quality of it was surprisingly well done and looks no different than any other big named movie. If you're looking for that classic, Woody Allen kind of love story (with some lox jokes thrown in), then Putzel is what you should watch and you don't have to be Jewish to like it! And I'll be sure to get it when/if it comes to DVD.

This is a quality, quirky, hilarious NY comedy!

[amyseezstars · 8/10 · 8 March 2014]

This surprising little comedy is packed with talent and heart. It has a wonderful cast and solid direction. Raunchy and naughty one second and a bit of a tear jerker the next. I was lucky enough to see it at an advanced screening in Woodstock, NY accompanied by a talk back with some of the cast and the director, writer, and producers following the feature. Great people! You can see the Upper West Side's personality come through the screen and it's reminiscent of a Billy Wilder flick. I would recommend this for a date or even for grandma...really good all around. You'll want to move to NY after seeing it, if not, you'll be craving bagels and lox for sure!

A Little Gem of an Indie

[carolbober · 9/10 · 18 February 2013]

This is a little gem of an indie. With very creative opening credits, music, and an introductory voice-over by Robert Klein, you are dropped into a quirky world on the upper west side of Manhattan. The sets and lighting make it feel like the west side of the 70s. The film is well-directed, with sharp, edgy and believable dialogue, and it's great to see gifted character actors step up and carry a film. You don't see tons of money on the screen, because of a low budget, but it's amazing to see what they did with that money. I laughed out loud many times, felt great and cared about the characters when I left, and thought about the movie the next day. What more can you ask for?

I loved it!

[e-contenti · 9/10 · 7 March 2014]

A funny, moving, sweet movie. The story is modern and clever and it really fascinated me, from the very first moment. It was smart, quirky and charming at the same time. It was like a modern fable and the characters are an amazing portrait of the issues and problems of today's generation. The style, the taste and the atmosphere reminded me of Woody Allen. The incredible performances and the wise direction made me feel like I wanted to see it again and again. Jack Carpenter and Melanie Linskey did a really great job in making these characters real. Also, I loved the music. I'm telling all my friends to see this: it's definitely a must see!

Putzel is a light hearted Comedy about a Bagel boy who must become a Bagel man, by way of love and a journey beyond Columbus Circle.

[mrsmellgood217 · 8/10 · 9 March 2014]

I saw this at a special screening at a JCC near Columbia University (NYC). I went with a couple of my best friends, and we laughed out loud many times. We enjoyed a solid story about an area of New York we were so intimate with at the time. The movie and it's atmosphere was so inviting, and it captured the city so well. It was such a real and personal movie. I thoroughly enjoyed all the performances from Jack Carpenter all the way to the blind man, and I myself cannot wait to buy this film and share it with everyone I can!

I cannot wait to see what else Jason Chaet and Rick Moore bring out! Huge fans and supporter of Jason Chaet's and he did not disappoint whatsoever. Thoroughly enjoyable,and I cannot wait for his next work!

loved it

[ffym · 10/10 · 3 March 2013]

A wonderful light but not silly film. Terrific acting, especially from Melanie Lynskey. Pankow is incredible there too. Stepehn Park deserves an award there, he knows how to play subtly, delicately, yet funny. Music is great, story sticks together, some jokes stay with you long after, very funny, witty, sweet, smart. Go and see it, you will have a great time! Very Jewish, very clever, impeccable little film made on small budget with a huge professed love for New York city, which I love dearly. Even supporting actors are great, like the actor who plays the bar tender. I think I will never forget his face and his eyes, Jarlath Conroy. Allegra Cohen, the producer, plays in this film and is stunningly beautiful but knows how to be discrete. Fantastic. Thank you, Allegra Cohen!

Incredible

[Aleeksa · 8/10 · 7 March 2014]

I saw "Putzel" at a special screening in New York and I loved it. Not only was it hilarious, and entertaining but it moved me with its honesty and its incredible performances. I'm always a huge snob when it comes to music in films, but Putzel really nailed it. Each song compliments the action and gives it another dimension entirely; truly beautiful. From start to finish I was amazed with how effortless the entire film was - it flowed with ease, and didn't rely on any explosions or computer generated imagery - it just told the story and for that I commend it and have no doubt that'll it be loved by many. With the resemblance of a Woody Allen classic, it made me laugh out loud, it made me tear up...maybe..but overall it was a fun, quirky film that I'd recommend to everyone I know. Two thumbs up

One of the best RomComs I've seen in years

[cassandrathackery · 8/10 · 13 March 2014]

I'm not the Rom-Com movie type, but I'm proud to say I loved this one. It's got such character and is simply unique. The Upper West Side of New York becomes a character of it's own, simultaneously trapping and enabling our heroic, if a little unsure, Putzel. And all of the performances are so beautifully done! No matter how small the role, you know everyone in this film as if you grew up with them yourself. Laugh out loud funny, if a little bit raunchy sometimes, and deeply heart warming, Putzel inspires you to step outside that comfort zone you've boxed yourself into and create the life you want to lead. Warning: You will crave bagels and lox for weeks to come.