Prime could be described as a romantic comedy with edge. In fact, there are several edges.

The cultural edge is that this is a New York Jewish story. While the central character, fashion model, Rafi (Uma Thurman), is not Jewish, she begins a relationship with a young artist, David (Bryan Greenberg) who is Jewish (but is not as deeply involved in and understanding of his traditions as his parents). The other edge has to do with age. He is 23. She is 37.
As regards the romantic comedy, the style is modern, two people falling in love regardless of what others think and, sometimes, regardless of the consequences. They feel that the difference of fourteen years is nothing. Rafi, a recent divorcee, feels that David fulfils all her emotional needs and her sexual needs. David is entranced by this sophisticated woman and that she could love him. Needless to say, romance has to face up to reality, especially the differences in intellectual life (computer games versus conversation, for example) and general maturing experience. As such, Prime is a light and light-hearted look at characters experiencing these dilemmas.
But, back to the Jewish theme. David’s mother (Meryl Streep looking both frumpish and glamorous) is Rafi’s psychiatrist. She is wholly affirming of Rafi, especially encouraging her in the new relationship – until…! David is her son and Rafi is not what she wants for him. Rafi is not Jewish. She is too old. This leads the film on to questions of confidentiality, what happens when therapists are involved emotionally in their clients’ lives and just how manipulating some mothers can be.
Uma Thurman brings glamour and presence to her role. Meryl Streep makes the most of her double-takes and maternal anguish. Ultimately, this can be also described as a bittersweet comedy – which asks its audience to appreciate how much people relish the present moment but that, finally, life requires decisions, courage and responsibility.

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