An American Pickle

In 1919, Herschel Greenbaum is tirelessly digging a ditch in the quaint Eastern European town of Schlupsk. Despite facing constant issues with his shovel, he maintains a positive outlook and continues working diligently.

While at the market, Herschel meets Sarah, who is struggling to buy fish. He decides to help her, doubling his workload to buy the finest fish, which marks the beginning of their lovely romance.

Herschel and Sarah celebrate their wedding, filled with hope for the future. However, the joy of their union is soon overshadowed by a Cossack invasion that disrupts their lives in Schlupsk.

Fleeing the chaos of Schlupsk, Herschel and Sarah set sail for America. They dream of better opportunities, hoping for a more prosperous life and simpler pleasures like seltzer water.

Upon arriving at Ellis Island, Herschel feels relieved to be out of danger. Ironically, he misinterprets a derogatory term labeled against him as a blessing, seeing it as his good fortune.

Herschel and Sarah settle into a modest Brooklyn apartment as they embrace the American Dream. While Herschel works at a pickle factory, they share dreams of starting a family.

A shocking event occurs when Herschel falls into a vat of pickles during a rat infestation. His boss seals the vat, and Herschel becomes submerged for a century, leading to the factory's eventual closure.

A century later, two boys stumble upon the old pickle factory. When they open the vat, Herschel awakens with a scream, startling the boys and beginning his whirlwind journey in the modern world.

Once revived, scientists hold a press conference to showcase Herschel's preservation in pickle brine. However, the joy is short-lived as he discovers that Sarah has passed away, leaving him devastated.

Herschel learns about his living descendant, Ben Greenbaum, who is indifferent to his arrival. Ben is an app developer, struggling with his own disconnection from family values.

In a move to connect with his past, Herschel and Ben visit Sarah's neglected grave. Their discovery of the grave's poor condition ignites Herschel's anger and determination to honor her legacy.

Determined to restore Sarah's grave, Herschel sets a goal of raising $200,000. Meanwhile, Ben's frustrations with his grandfather's unconventional methods grow, highlighting their generational clash.

Herschel embraces modernity by selling pickles made from discarded cucumbers, quickly gaining a following online. However, his antics attract the attention of the Health Department, leading to serious challenges.

Facing deportation, Herschel convinces Ben to help him sneak into Canada. Their journey allows for moments of bonding, but Herschel's impulsive nature causes trouble and tension with the authorities.

After deportation back to Schlupsk, Herschel seeks comfort in the synagogue, where he reconnects with his roots. Eventually, he and Ben reunite, ready to embark on new adventures and revive their family legacy together.