History Film / HesterStreet

** In the original 1896 novella Yekl, Jake and Gitl are divorced but while Gitl is going through all the emotions, she is crying in joy for her new start, but Jake while on the Streetcar with Mamie going to get married is unsure and is doubting his desires.

* JewishMother: While Gitl isn't, Mrs Kavarsky is; she is blunt, very protective of Gitl, and pokes her nose in everything in the nicest way possible.

* GossipyHens: Mrs Kavarsky and the Rabbi’s Wife after [[spoiler:the Get]] about Gitl's plans to [[spoiler:marry Bernstein]].

[[quoteright:305:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/hester_street.jpeg]]

In spite of its low budget and niche subject matter, the film was a smash hit, earning $5 million at the box office. Carol Kane's performance earned her an UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nomination for Best Actress. Creator/DorisRoberts appears as Jake and Gitl's neighbor Mrs. Kavarsky.

[[quoteright:220:https://static.tvtropes.org/pmwiki/pub/images/220px_hester_street_8.jpg]]

''Hester Street'' is a 1975 American independent drama film based on the 1896 novella ''Yekl'' by Abraham Cahan, written and directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring Steven Keats, Creator/CarolKane, and Creator/DorisRoberts.

Jake's wife, Gitl (Kane), is a shy traditionalist, unsure of her new life and her husband's changes. The household also has an extra member, Bernstein (Mel Howard), a bookish workmate who Jake loves to tease, but when Mamie discovers Jake's family, it's only a matter of time before Gitl finds out and ends the marriage, with a happy ending for her.

Despite being an indie, the film was a smash hit, earning $5 million at the box office. Carol Kane received a Best Actress UsefulNotes/AcademyAward nomination for her performance.

Hester Street is a Black and White Independent Film made in 1975, based on the 1896 novella Yekl, the film was written and directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring ''Steven Keats'', Creator/CarolKane and ''Doris Roberts''. Despite being an indie, it was a smash hit earning $5 million at the Box Office and Carol Kane was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.

The film is about ''Jake'' a Jewish immigrant (who was originally ''Yankle''), he has assimilated and works well at a factory, he begins a relationship with ''Mamire'' a Polish dance girl, however reality comes crashing down, he loses his Father and so he decides to bring his Wife and Child to New York. His wife ''Gitl'' is a shy, traditionalist unsure of her new life and her husband’s changes. The household also had an extra member, ''Bernstein'' a bookish workmate that Jake loves to tease, but when Mamie discovers Jake’s family, it's only a matter of time before Gitl finds out and ends the marriage with a happy ending for her.

* AdaptationalJerkass - Jake for sure, he mocks the idea of brain over brawn, he cuts Yossle’s Payiot much to the tearful pleas of Gitl, he forces her to call her son Joey and treats her poorly for wearing Sheitels and Headress and when confronted by Mrs Kavarsky refuses to take the blame.
* BerserkButton - Jake when he sees [[spoiler:Gitl new hairdo]], Mrs Kavarsky can’t understand why he would complain but she realises it’s about Mamie.
* ButtMonkey - Poor Bernstein, everytime Jake needs to feel better he goes for him, he reveals to Gitl that he is faster than his bookish friend and he tells Bernstein to find a wife from the matchmaker, the fact the poor man takes it is why [[spoiler:Gitl]] goes for him.
* CannotTalkToWomen - Bernstein that’s why he’s single he’s shy and would rather hide his feelings in study. He admits to Git his lack of courage [[spoiler:she helps him out]].
* CostumePorn - Despite the characters being working class they dress well and it doesn’t matter that the film is black and white, the detail comes though.
* DeconfirmedBachelor - Bernstein he was about to pick up and leave when he confesses to [[spoiler:Gitl]] his feelings and she symbolly returns his love by unpacking his books.
* FacialDialogue - Carol Kane as Gitl is visually expressive, like a silent movie actress, when she doesn’t speak, she is thinking and thus we see her at one moment sadder than the other interested.
* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted - Jake, he thinks he’s going to open a Dancing School with Mamie only for [[spoiler:Gitl]] to take it as an agreement for [[spoiler:the Get she]] and [[spoiler:Bernstein]] will open a shop from it.
* FriendshipAsCourtship - [[spoiler:Gitl and Bernstein]] no question.
* FunWithSubtitles - Since a half of the movie is in Yiddish, it seems right that there is Subtitles.
* GameFace - Gitl when she is making a deal with [[spoiler:Mamie’s Lawyer]] she does well from it.
* GossipyHens - Mrs Kavarsky and the Rabbi’s Wife after [[spoiler:the Get]] about Gitl's plans to [[spoiler:marry Bernstein]].
* HairstyleMalfunction - Coming home Jake is told by Kavarshy to go upstairs before the others, Gitl has curls, he snaps and pulls her hair only to painfully realize it’s not her Shitel.
* JewishMother - While Gitl isn’t, having '''Doris Roberts''' as Mrs Kavarsky is, she is blunt very protective of Gitl and pokes her nose in everything in the nicest way possible.
* LastMinuteHookup - Jake goes to a prostitute, it’s clear she knows him and has been busy but she fits him in [[spoiler: Her name in the credits is ‘’Fanny’’]].
* LittleKnownFacts - This film displays plenty of these, the best of which is the Get, a traditional Jewish Divorce, which is a surprise to non Jewish people and the way it's presented is very simple.
* LongingLook - There’s a couple, there’s Jake and Mamie, [[spoiler:Gitl and Bernstein]] especially when at the picnic and [[spoiler:Jake looks at Gitl]] at the Get.
* LoanShark - Mamie when she discovers that Jake used the money she loaned him to bring the family nobody knew, she threatens to expose the affair to Gitl [[spoiler:of course it’s revealed by Jake’s friend she has plenty and does it to Jake out of love]].
* LovePotion - Gitl tries to get one from a peddler.
* NoDoubtTheYearsHaveChangedMe - At Ellis Island, Gitl is shocked at how Jake has changed his appearance shaving the beard he had and being harsh to his old country family.
* NothingIsTheSameAnymore - Poor Gitl suffers from this, but at least she gets through it.
* OopsIForgotIWasMarried - Jake surprises Bernstein with it and Mamie finds out when she feels betrayed.
* PeriodPiece - For a low budget film, the accuracy is amazing and the detail is almost a document for Jewish American Immigrant Life.
* ReturningTheWeddingRing - The Get is done as a reverse wedding, there is a Rabbi with witnesses, the divorcing couple acknowledge that they came on their free will and Gitl removes her ring as Jake gives her the divorce document like a ring with vows. After which, [[spoiler:Jake]] is free to marry straight away and [[spoiler:Gitl]] has to wait about 3 months.
* RemarriedToTheMistress - Jake to Mamie and while they are poorer for it, they do plan to get back the money they lose to Gitl.
* YourTraditionIsNotMine - Gitl still tries to follow her Eastern Europian self, she still gives Joey salt in his pockets and covers her hair, while she does Assimilated she is faithful to the old ways and ends the film with [[spoiler:Bernstein another traditionalist]].

* {{Cuckold}} - Reversed with Gitl and when she discovers it she has some choice words in Yiddish:
--->'''Gitl'''- You and your Polish whore can jump out of your skins.

* LongingLook - There’s a couple, there’s Jake and Mamie, Gitl and Bernstein especially when at the picnic and [[spoiler:Jake looks at Gitl]] at the Get.

* BerserkButton - Jake when he sees [[spoiler Gitl new hairdo]], Mrs Kavarsky can’t understand why he would complain but she realises it’s about Mamie.

* AFoolAndHisNewMoneyAreSoonParted - Jake, he thinks he’s going to open a Dancing School with Mamie only for [[spoiler:Gitl]] to take it as an agreement for [[spoiler:the Get}} she and [[spoiler:Bernstein]] will open a shop from it.

* LoanShark - Mamie when she discovers that Jake used the money she loaned him to bring the family nobody knew, she threatens to expose the affair to Gitl [[spoiler of course it’s revealed by Jake’s friend she has plenty and does it to Jake out of love]].

* {{Cuckold}} - Reversed withGitl and when she discovers it she has some choice words in Yiddish:

Hester Street is a Black and White Independent Film made in 1975, based on the 1896 novella Yekl, the film was written and directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring ''Steven Keats'', Creator/Carol Kane and ''Doris Roberts''. Despite being an indie, it was a smash hit earning $5 million at the Box Office and Carol Kane was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.

* Adaptation Jerkass - Jake for sure, he mocks the idea of brain over brawn, he cuts Yossle’s Payiot much to the tearful pleas of Gitl, he forces her to call her son Joey and treats her poorly for wearing Sheitels and Headress and when confronted by Mrs Kavarsky refuses to take the blame.
* Berserk Button - Jake when he sees [[spoiler Gitl new hairdo]], Mrs Kavarsky can’t understand why he would complain but she realises it’s about Mamie.
* Butt Monkey - Poor Bernstein, everytime Jake needs to feel better he goes for him, he reveals to Gitl that he is faster than his bookish friend and he tells Bernstein to find a wife from the matchmaker, the fact the poor man takes it is why [[spoiler:Gitl]] goes for him.
* Cannot Talk To Women - Bernstein that’s why he’s single he’s shy and would rather hide his feelings in study. He admits to Git his lack of courage [[spoiler:she helps him out]].
* Costume Porn - Despite the characters being working class they dress well and it doesn’t matter that the film is black and white, the detail comes though.
* Cuckold - Gitl and when she discovers it she has some choice words in Yiddish:

* Decomfrimed Bachelor - Bernstein he was about to pick up and leave when he confesses to [[spoiler:Gitl]] his feelings and she symbolly returns his love by unpacking his books.
* Facial Dialogue - Carol Kane as Gitl is visually expressive, like a silent movie actress, when she doesn’t speak, she is thinking and thus we see her at one moment sadder than the other interested.
* A Fool and his New Money are Soon Parted - Jake, he thinks he’s going to open a Dancing School with Mamie only for [[spoiler:Gitl]] to take it as an agreement for [[spoiler:the Get}} she and [[spoiler:Bernstein]] will open a shop from it.
* Friendship as Courtship - [[spoiler:Gitl and Bernstein]] no question.
* Fun with Subtitles - Since a half of the movie is in Yiddish, it seems right that there is Subtitles.
* Game Face - Gitl when she is making a deal with [[spoiler:Mamie’s Lawyer]] she does well from it.
* Gossipy Hens - Mrs Kavarsky and the Rabbi’s Wife after [[spoiler:the Get]] about Gitl's plans to [[spoiler:marry Bernstein]].
* Hairstyle Malfunction - Coming home Jake is told by Kavarshy to go upstairs before the others, Gitl has curls, he snaps and pulls her hair only to painfully realize it’s not her Shitel.
* Jewish Mother - While Gitl isn’t, having '''Doris Roberts''' as Mrs Kavarsky is, she is blunt very protective of Gitl and pokes her nose in everything in the nicest way possible.
* Last Minute Hookup - Jake goes to a prostitute, it’s clear she knows him and has been busy but she fits him in [[spoiler: Her name in the credits is ‘’Fanny’’]].
* Little Known Facts - This film displays plenty of these, the best of which is the Get, a traditional Jewish Divorce, which is a surprise to non Jewish people and the way it's presented is very simple.
* Longing Look - There’s a couple, there’s Jake and Mamie, Gitl and Bernstein especially when at the picnic and [[spoiler:Jake looks at Gitl]] at the Get.
* Loan Shark - Mamie when she discovers that Jake used the money she loaned him to bring the family nobody knew, she threatens to expose the affair to Gitl [[spoiler of course it’s revealed by Jake’s friend she has plenty and does it to Jake out of love]].
* Love Potion - Gitl tries to get one from a peddler.
* No Doubt the Years have Changed Me - At Ellis Island, Gitl is shocked at how Jake has changed his appearance shaving the beard he had and being harsh to his old country family.
* Nothing is the Same Anymore - Poor Gitl suffers from this, but at least she gets through it.
* Oosp! I forgot I was Married - Jake surprises Bernstein with it and Mamie finds out when she feels betrayed.
* Period Piece - For a low budget film, the accuracy is amazing and the detail is almost a document for Jewish American Immigrant Life.
* Returning the Wedding Ring - The Get is done as a reverse wedding, there is a Rabbi with witnesses, the divorcing couple acknowledge that they came on their free will and Gitl removes her ring as Jake gives her the divorce document like a ring with vows. After which, [[spoiler:Jake]] is free to marry straight away and [[spoiler:Gitl]] has to wait about 3 months.
* Remarried to the Mistress - Jake to Mamie and while they are poorer for it, they do plan to get back the money they lose to Gitl.
* Your Traditions are not Mine - Gitl still tries to follow her Eastern Europian self, she still gives Joey salt in his pockets and covers her hair, while she does Assimilated she is faithful to the old ways and ends the film with [[spoiler:Bernstein another traditionalist]].

Hester Street is a Black and White Independent Film made in 1975, based on the 1896 novella Yekl, the film was written and directed by Joan Micklin Silver and starring Steven Keats, Creator/Carol Kane and Doris Roberts. Despite being an indie, it was a smash hit earning $5 million at the Box Office and Carol Kane was nominated for Best Actress at the Oscars.

The film is about ‘’Jake’’ a Jewlish immigrant (who was originally ‘’Yankle’’), he has assimilated and works well at a factory, he begins a relationship with ‘’Mamire’’ a Polish dance girl, however reality comes crashing down, he loses his Father and so he decides to bring his Wife and Child to New York. His wife ‘’Gitl’’ is a shy, traditionalist unsure of her new life and her husband’s changes. The household also had an extra member, ‘’Bernstein’’ a bookish workmate that Jake loves to tease, but when Mamie discovers Jake’s family, it's only a matter of time before Gitl finds out and ends the marriage with a happy ending for her.

→’’’Gitl’’’- You and your Polish whore can jump out of your skins.

* Hairstyle Malfunction - Coming home Jake is told by Kavarshy to go upstairs before the others, Gitl has curls, he snaps and pulls her hair only to painfully realise it’s not her Shitel.
* Jewish Mother - While Gitl isn’t, having ‘’Doris Roberts’’ as Mrs Kavarsky is, she is blunt very protective of Gitl and pokes her nose in everything in the nicest way possible.

* Little Known Facts - This film displays plenty of these, the best of which is the Get, a traditional Jewlish Divorce, which is a surprise to non Jewlish people and the way it's presented is very simple.

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