Crossing Delancey

This is the kind of movie that makes you want to reach and out and hug something--even a telephone pole--afterwards, and you don't care who sees you. Joan Micklin Silver, who took some critical bruising for the equally delightful Head Over Heels, returns to the same stomping ground (the human heart) in this tale of a smart Jewish girl (Amy Irving) who works in an artsy bookstore, and the pickle seller (Peter Riegert) who tries to worm his way into her left ventricle. Irving, who turns in her most mature performance as Izzy Grossman, has her eyes on a spoiled brat of a writer (a wonderful job by Jeroen Krabbe). Enter Izzy's grandmother, or "Bubbie" (feisty, 70-year-old Reizl Bozyk) and a let's-get-down-to-business matchmaker (Sylvia Miles), who try to convince Izzy that a pickle in the hand is worth any number of novels from a rootless bush. It takes a while for Izzy to give up her arty pretensions, and listen to the true calling of her heart, as opposed to the Siren song of the writer. The story may be as old as recorded history, but the moments are as fresh as a bite of kosher pickle. And, to top it off, the Roche sisters have added a heavenly soundtrack. Highly recommended. (R. Pitman)[DVD Review—Feb. 6, 2007—Warner, 97 min., PG, $19.98—Making its first appearance on DVD, 1988's Crossing Delancey boasts a nice transfer and Dolby Digital stereo sound, with DVD extras limited to trailers. Bottom line: a disappointing extras package for a wonderful film.]