University of Virginia Library

Portnoy

limbs moving through the
Jewish water!") but he also
loses his potency. Internal
restrictions replace imagined
outer ones. And kvetching gets
you nowhere.

As in the rest of the movie,
Lehman forgets to establish the
background, instead of just the
geography: no "Jewish limbs!
Jewish water!" scene. It might
as well be Miami Beach. A few
reassuring shots to put
things–and characters–back
together, and everything's all
right.

After all, for God's sake,
Portnoy's Complaint is
something you can take your
mother to.

(Now at the Paramount)