SuperTex

SuperTex is a bit of an oddity. Following the exploits the Breslauer family, who’ve made their fortune selling cheap clothes to third-world countries, the film often operates on the same level as a soap opera. But it mostly works, mostly due to some better-than-expected acting and a steady sense of direction. The film stars Stephen Mangan as Max, the eldest son in this textile dynasty – his father Simon (Jan Decleir) and brother Boy (Elliot Levey) are also involved with the company – who’s recently begun questioning his role within both the family and the business. He feels that he’s not being taken seriously by his father, and eventually decides to quit – but Max soon begins to see past his own self-interest. Though SuperTex often borders on melodrama, the film remains an entertaining look at a family in crisis. And it’s worth noting that the central character, Max, is often quite unlikeable; he’s short-tempered with everyone he supposedly cares about, including his devoted girlfriend. It’s the chemistry between the two brothers, though, that propels the story forward. Their relationship is a poignent one, and it’s that aspect of the film that’s the most effective. But the movie occasionally seems to be implying that if Max would just embrace his Jewish roots, it’d essentially be a cure-all for everything that ails him. It’s an absurd and heavy-handed suggestion to say the least, exacerbated by a third-act that’s completely ludicrous (involving Boy’s complete change of lifestyle that happens way too quickly to be convincing). Had SuperTex remained focused on Max’s struggle to accept his place within this family and business, there’s no doubt it would’ve been far more entertaining (and instances of eye-rolling among audiences would have been eliminated).

**1/2 out of ****

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