The Cobbler

The film opens in 1903 in the Lower East Side of New York City, where a group of Hasidic Jewish men gather in a cobbler's shop. They discuss the troublesome behavior of a local crook named Gergerman, who has been harassing them and threatening their businesses.

After their discussions, the men decide to take action against Gergerman. They hand over a pair of his shoes to the cobbler, Pinchas Simkin, who takes them to his basement to work on them using a special stitching machine.

In the present day, we meet Max Simkin, a cobbler in the same shop. He seems disinterested in the issues plaguing his neighborhood and is focused on his work, although it is clear that he carries the burden of his family's legacy.

Max is approached by Carmen Herrera, who is working with the Lower East Side community to stop developers from demolishing the neighborhood. Max dismisses her concerns and remains indifferent to the changes around him.

A local thug named Leon Ludlow comes to the shop, and when Max's stitching machine fails, he uses the old machine from his ancestors. Upon trying on Ludlow's shoes, Max discovers he can magically become whoever wore the shoes.

Excited by his new ability, Max begins to experiment with it. He transforms into various characters, including visiting Chinatown as a Chinese man and a British man named Emiliano, enjoying experiences he would never otherwise get to have.

In a heartfelt moment, Max uses his father's shoes to become Abraham for a dinner with his ailing mother, Sarah. This time together brings Sarah joy, allowing her to relive happier memories before her passing.

The next morning, Max finds that his mother has passed away. He mourns her loss during Shiva, a week of mourning, and is left to navigate his grief and the responsibilities that come with it.

Ludlow confronts Max, demanding he return his shoes or face dire consequences. Out of fear, Max uses Ludlow's shoes to follow him back to his apartment, where he learns about Ludlow's dangerous life.

Max, disguised as Ludlow, enters his apartment and encounters Ludlow's dangerous lifestyle, including hidden weapons. The real Ludlow returns, leading to a life-threatening encounter where Max must defend himself.

Max continues to impersonate Ludlow and engages with his criminal associates. He twists his identity to free a captive man, stepping further into the dangerous world Ludlow inhabits and gaining their trust.

Max's deception leads him to a risky confrontation with the slum lord Elaine Greenawalt, who threatens Mr. Solomon, an elderly resident. Max devises a plan to protect Solomon while ensuring Greenawalt is held accountable.

Max confides in his neighbor Jimmy, who confronts him about his odd behavior and reveals he has been keeping secrets related to his father's past. This revelation deepens Max's understanding of his family's legacy.

Max returns the stolen watches to Ludlow's girlfriend, Macy, promising her that she deserves better. This moment reflects Max's growing sense of morality and responsibility amidst the chaos of his actions.

After a harrowing ordeal, Max recovers in Jimmy's shop where he learns an extraordinary truth. Jimmy, his neighbor, reveals that he has been his father Abraham all along, leading to a heartfelt reunion.