His intent to convert becomes a watershed moment, not only in his own life but for those around him. His parents are heartbroken. His sister is outraged. She recounts, correctly, the moment he had an epiphany when they were children. He entered the dim recesses of an open Catholic church and felt the touch of Mother Mary on him when he saw her icon. He has felt she was guiding him and looking after him all this time. As he navigates his spiritual journey and the minefield of dealing with his family, he must face the pros and cons of the consequences of this change. The question hangs in the air for Elmaleh whether he will convert or not. When his parents learn he has booked a hotel, they ask him to stay in their place. Hence the title Stay With Us, but when they learn of his intentions to leave Judaism behind, the phrase becomes their plea for him not to abandon the generations of Jewish traditions they’ve raised him with. He lightens the mood using scenes with his family squabbling cheerfully around the dinner table and with stand-up sets in which he engages a comedy club audience to bounce his feelings. They serve as his therapy sessions. He meets a young Catholic woman who shows him traditions and home life around that faith. There is another segment played for laughs when Elmaleh spends time with monks who have taken a vow of silence. The brother who welcomes him there seems skeptical and annoyed with this bizarre candidate but takes him in any way.
Continue
