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Praying with Lior (2008) In Philadelphia, Lior, a boy with Down syndrome, is getting ready for his bar mitzvah. The moment that his rabbi father says, "He's not stupid,… Unrated PT87M Documentary First Run Features
Movie Review

Praying with Lior (2008)

MPAA Rating: Unrated

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PRAYING WITH LIOR A boy with Down syndrome prepares for his bar mitzvah with the help of his family and community in this rewarding documentary
PRAYING WITH LIOR A boy with Down syndrome prepares for his bar mitzvah with the help of his family and community in this rewarding documentary
EW's GRADE
B

Details Limited Release: Feb 01, 2008; Rated: Unrated; Length: 87 Minutes; Genre: Documentary; Distributor: First Run Features

In Philadelphia, Lior, a boy with Down syndrome, is getting ready for his bar mitzvah. The moment that his rabbi father says, ''He's not stupid, he's retarded — there's a difference!'' the theme of this bite-size, rewarding documentary comes into focus. It's that the embrace of Lior — by his family, and by the Judaic community around him — completely transforms the way he feels about his mind. The boy has a penetrating spirit and a passion for davening (i.e., praying), and though the film gets a bit repetitive, in its moving climax Lior does more than just have his bar mitzvah — he earns it. B

Originally posted Feb 14, 2008 Published in issue #979 Feb 22, 2008 Order article reprints