Bernie Rubens (Gregg Sulkin) is a bookish 12 year old Jewish boy studying for his bar mitzvah. After having experienced his obnoxious brother Alvie’s (Ben Newton) more opulent one, Bernie anticipates no less extravagance for his. Bernie’s grandiose expectations are tempered however, when he discovers the 1966 World Cup Final coincides with his big day and takes great pains to try and stop his native England from making it all the way in ways only a 12 year old can…by fervently wishing. Bernie’s neurotic father, Manny (Eddie Marsan), wants the best for his son, but his attentions lie in saving his grocery store from certain bankruptcy. Bernie’s mother, Esther (Helena Bonham Carter), is the only level one of the group who tries to reassure Bernie that people would attend his coming of age regardless of England’s successes in the World Cup. Unfortunately, with every goal and every win, the rsvp list gets shorter and shorter and Bernie can’t help but brood about the inevitable.
Sixty Six suffers a bit from what I call “Indie-itis” – a common affliction that affects quite a few independent films, which makes them plod along at a snail’s pace in places. This could have benefited from a few more passes in the edit room. Still, Sixty Six is a warm, quirky tale which reminds us that the family bond can be much more rewarding than a room full of gift bearing guests. Enjoy this one at your leisure.
Sixty Six opens in select theaters on Wednesday, August 6th, 2008.
