Unfortunately for Bernie, things don’t quite go according to plan.  First, Manny’s business fails, and suddenly the lavish hotel party that Bernie had been promised is replaced with a tiny affair in his parent’s front room. Worse than that: the World Cup Final is scheduled for the same day as his Bar Mitzvah. Despite Bernie’s pleas, Manny and Esther won’t hear of moving the date. Over the next few weeks, Bernie spends his spare time watching the World Cup like a hawk as England wins through the qualifying rounds and ultimately earns a spot in the final against West Germany.

Bernie’s worst nightmare has come true. His only solace comes from his relationships with asthma specialist, Dr. Barrie, and his blind Hebrew instructor, Rabbi Linov, who give Bernie life lessons reminding him what it really means to become a man. All this leads up to one Bar Mitzvah day Bernie will never forget!



“For years, people had encouraged me to do something based around my North London Jewish background,” explains director Paul Weiland. “The reaction to my telling the story of my thirteenth birthday was not only a validation of that vulnerable time in my life but also an indication that the story could strike a universal chord.”

“It’s such an engaging story,” said producer Elizabeth Karlsen. “This child, who is looking forward to this moment, which is so important in his life, finds out that it’s going to be ruined by forces beyond his control, and ruined in a way that everyone promised him would never happen. Not only is the comedy wonderful, but the emotional moments have a great depth of pain and humanity.”