Young Bernie gets inspired when his rabbi explains what a bar mitzvah is. Suddenly Bernie sees a way to get the attention he craves, He decides to plan teh " Gone with the Wind of bar mitzvahs," and when God shines that spotlight on him, he will finally be the center of attention. But there's one catch. It's 1966 (hence the title of the film), and it's the year England is hosting the World Cup. So once again poor Bernie finds it difficult to get attention. Bernie finds himself praying that England loses so his invited guests won't have any distractions. But as fate would have it, Bernie has to contend with the final match between England and West Germany landing on the exact same day as his much-anticipated rite of passage.
Gregg Sulkin as Bernie Reubens in Sixty Six (First Independent Pictures)
Sixty Six is by far Paul Weiland's best and more personal film. His American films have been complete clunkers like Made of Honor and Leonard Part VI (remember that monstrosity?). In England he's done some funny work with Rowan Atkinson on Black Adder and Mr. Bean . But nothing in his past credits suggested that he had a film as sweet and personal as Sixty Six in him. Sixty Six reveals a real charm and attention to detail that can only come from first hand experience - details like not being allowed to step on his brother's special carpet or the way his dad ate in his underwear so as not to stain any clothes.
Sixty Six (First Independent Pictures)
The cast provides much of teh film's appeal. Little Gregg Sulkin - with his glasses and excessive teeth - cuts a humorously forlorn figure. He conveys Bernie's passionate obsession with his bar mitzvah plans and a kind of resignation that he may never get his family's attention. But Helena Bonham Carter brings a lovely warmth to the film as Bernie's mother while Stephen Rea is enjoyable as Bernie's asthma doctor and Eddie Marsan's low key performance as Bernie's dad develops some unexpected depth.
Sixty Six (PG-13 for language, some sexual content and brief nudity) is a delightful coming of age film.
Companion viewing: Hope and Glory, The Year My Parents Went on Vacation, Offside
