Prime (PG-13)
Cast: Meryl Streep, Uma Thurman, Bryan Greenberg, Annie Parisse
Release Date: October 28, 2005
Runtime: 1 hr. 46 mins.
Genre: Comedy, Romance
In colorful, bustling modern-day Manhattan, Rafi, a 37-year-old photography producer reeling from a recent divorce, meets David, a 23-year-old painter recently out of college. Rafi's therapist, Dr. Lisa Metzger, who is working to help Rafi overcome her fears of intimacy, finds out that Rafi's new lover is -- unfortunately for Lisa--her only son, David. Both David and Rafi must contend with their 14-year age gap, vastly different backgrounds and the demands of David's traditional mother. Despite their intense attraction, the charmed couple soon realizes that vastly different ages and backgrounds create much conflict. A Jewish hip-hop lover and closet painter who still lives with his grandparents, David has little in common with Rafi-- a non-practicing Catholic from a wealthy, broken family who travels in the sophisticated, high-end world of fashion.
Review
With a charismatic leading lady and her equally captivating toy boy at the helm, Prime is a somewhat enjoyable look at a budding, albeit complicated, romance. But it tends to take itself a tad too seriously.
Story
The title is perplexing. Is it about being in the prime of your life? Or is it about getting ready to start anew? Maybe it’s about math. No, wait, that’s Proof. Actually, Prime tackles both themes of starting anew and being at your peak. For Manhattanite Rafi (Uma Thurman), a 37-year-old photographer reeling from a recent divorce, that means finding a new love with David (Bryan Greenberg), a 23-year-old Jewish artist. Rafi's therapist (Meryl Streep) is thrilled for her patient--until, of course, she finds out it’s her own son Rafi has fallen for. You see, not only is Rafi 14 years older than David and wants different things from life, she also is not Jewish--a big no-no in David’s family. It doesn’t seem likely this charmed couple can overcome such vast obstacles.
Acting
Outside director Quentin Tarantino’s realm, Thurman’s performances have been spotty at best. But in Prime, she proves her mettle--and finally gets to play a real girl, instead of an butt-kickin’ assassin out to Kill Bill. The actress has never looked more luminous, and she gives an emotionally layered performance as the divorcée just looking for a meaningful relationship. Greenberg (TV’s One Tree Hill) also holds his own as the terribly sweet and eager David, who can’t help himself. Together, the two keep it real and sexy. Streep, unfortunately, weighs things down. Comedies have never been the Oscar winner’s forte, and her Jewish mother is way too over the top. She never really seems to connect with anyone.
Direction
It’s intriguing that the guy who wrote and directed the testosterone-driven Boiler Room, a poor man’s Wall Street, can turn around and make a fairly convincing movie about a May-December romance. Apparently, writer/director Ben Younger had the idea for Prime mulling around in his brain for eight years, giving him plenty of time to flesh out real characters. He also surprisingly manages to escape the romantic pitfalls--no pat ending here. The problem is Younger likes to hear himself talk. The film tends to run on--in serious intonations, no less--especially with the scenario involving the disapproving Jewish mother. There is enough conflict between Rafi and David with the age difference alone, don’t you think? Just ask Demi and Ashton.
Bottom Line
Synopsis
In colorful, bustling modern-day Manhattan, Rafi, a 37-year-old photography producer reeling from a recent divorce, meets David, a 23-year-old painter recently out of college. Rafi's therapist, Dr. Lisa Metzger, who is working to help Rafi overcome her fears of intimacy, finds out that Rafi's new lover is -- unfortunately for Lisa--her only son, David. Both David and Rafi must contend with their 14-year age gap, vastly different backgrounds and the demands of David's traditional mother. Despite their intense attraction, the charmed couple soon realizes that vastly different ages and backgrounds create much conflict. A Jewish hip-hop lover and closet painter who still lives with his grandparents, David has little in common with Rafi-- a non-practicing Catholic from a wealthy, broken family who travels in the sophisticated, high-end world of fashion.