(Flash Review)This movie falls into a unique place as an atypical movie with pot as the main theme while not being a stupid high school comedy. It takes a more mature tone with comedic bits tossed it that don't register more than a half smirk. Basically, an immigrant boy is looking for a 'real' job as he deals drugs on the side. Believe it or not he accidentally spills a bunch of cannabis into one of the batches of dough and it sells like potcakes, whooops…'hotcakes'. Haha The bakery owner has no clue and is loving his increased business. How long will this continue and will anyone find out and unveil the truth. This story is pretty original so it is a shame the movie telegraphs ever move and is highly predicable, especially since it is more drama than goofy comedy. The production value felt like it was TV quality with very bland cinematography. Religion is a main theme as the owner is Jewish and the boy is Muslim and is quite nice how the two respects each other while jabbing each other on certain points. Overall, this could have been stronger if it gave itself a true personality.

Wow, i was really amazed by this movie, the atmosphere, the emotions and the story are all perfect.Now, lets not argue about "racism", because there is no such thing as racism in this film. Well, more like countering the popular belief of 2015-2016 stereotypes of people saying that "Muslims and Jews cannot be racist". This movie proved the opposite, and shows us that racial tension still exists due to the fact of people bringing it back up again.Never the less, it was an amazing movie, with an amazing story, and an amazing message.

Dough rises to the occasion with sweetness, depth and delightful humor. With Jonathan Pryce and Jerome Holder giving us textured and nuanced portrayals of growing trust, and appreciation, they also demonstrate how we can successfully meet "the other" with care and compassion. Dough provides us will all the ingredients as to how the simple act of being human transforms every bite we take from this morsel of life we get. While the film's premise offers many "highlights" the cohesive quality of the film, the honest feelings generated and the love that emerges, is not only touching, it's enlivening. This film is far more than an ethnic sampling, it's most importantly how we can move beyond our prejudice and bias and find our humanity. John Goldschmidt's direction continually points us toward the goodness of who we are, and Pryce and Holder masterfully deliver the goods. This was a wonderful and uplifting film, like eating a piece of chocolate chip rugelach without any of the guilt.

This year, the Rochester International Jewish Film Festival made a good-faith effort to screen more comedies. (Apparently, that's what last year's viewers requested.) I admire their effort, but, from my perspective, most of the films simply weren't funny. In fact, the only film that I found truly funny was the French movie, "Serial Bad Weddings." (I'll post a review of that film in a day or two.) The problem--in this context--is that "Serial Bad Weddings" wasn't really a Jewish film. "Dough," which was a Jewish film, wasn't that funny. It's about Nat, a tough old man who is trying to maintain his Jewish bakery, and the young Muslim man from Darfur whom he hires to help him.The film was directed by John Goldschmidt. Jonathan Pryce stars as the baker, and he's a brilliant actor. The rest of the actors were quite good, although the two villains--one a drug dealer and one a businessman--are ridiculous stock characters. They should have been shown with tall black hats, twirling their mustaches. I thought the second best actor in the film was Melanie Freeman, who played Nat's granddaughter, Olivia. Her role was to be bonded to her grandfather, and her job was to be adorable. Adorable child actors can be truly tedious, but not in this case. Freeman really was adorable, and the screen lit up when she was on it.This was a pretty good film. I believe it would have been better without the comic parts. The movie had a point to make about family businesses, traditions, and reaching out to people who need your help. I would have moved forward in those directions, and not have worried about trying to be funny. The director and producer made a choice, which is what directors and producers do. I disagree with that choice, which is what reviewers sometimes do.We saw this film at the Dryden Theatre, as part of the highly praised Rochester International Jewish Film Festival. It will work well on the small screen.