Disobedience (B or 3/4 stars)
'Disobedience' (based on a novel & directed by Chilean Sebastian Lelio, of last yr.'s A Fantastic Woman) is a smart, nuanced drama about how 2 women's lives/relationship are affected by the insular - and often disapproving - Orthodox Jewish community in which they were raised. Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) is working as a photographer in NYC when she receives a message that her father, a revered & beloved Orthodox rabbi in London, has died. Estranged from her father for decades, Ronit travels to London filled with regret & guilt, only to receive a tepid & confused greeting from her old friend, Dovid Kuperman (Alessandro Nivola), who has since been the rabbi's star pupil/protege & is being considered as his honorable successor.
Also surprised to see Ronit is Esti (Rachel McAdams), another childhood friend; and for her part ... Ronit is stunned to learn that Dovid & Esti are now married. Ronit is further unsettled by her father's obituary, which says that he was "childless" + the news that she has not inherited her family's home. As we, the audience, tries to figure out why Ronit deserted her family & friends so long ago and, as she mourns by trying to reconcile her troubled relationship with her dad, a dormant connection btwn. Ronit & Esti re-ignites. Drama ensues.
Director Lelio tackles this tale of forbidden love within the shackles of strict religion with great care & restraint. Everything in 'Disobedience' is controlled. This is by design – an attempt to echo the powerful restraint of the community. Visually, 'Disobedience' stands-out for its restraint, as well. Danny Cohen provides a desaturated, chilly color palette that soaked into my bones as I watched. The look of the film + some interesting locales/settings {how often do you see this aspect of life -- Orthodox Jewish community in suburban London?} really piqued my interest.
The performances are all purposely understated, but quietly powerful. Rachel Weisz delivers a performance of great subtlety as the deeply-flawed Ronit, who maybe hoped to have things both ways and is unnerved that her choices may have led to heartache. She's not completely sympathetic, even if her emotions are understandable -- complex character, well-performed. Rachel McAdams is also stellar as a woman who 'escaped' {though, not in the same vein of Ronit} the shame of her homosexuality, into the stability & 'normality' of heterosexual marriage – else-wise, she'd have nowhere else to go.
Esti & Ronit inhabit a bleak, overcast world of antiseptic houses, stoic rooms & strict rituals -- the characters, settings & emotions are as cold & clinical as can be. BUT, their stolen moments together - a release of pent-up energy that's been stifled far beneath their facades - are profound and full of passion; as evidenced in their heralded love scene {including a spit-in-the-mouth moment}. Alone, they can be themselves rather than what their community demands & expects. Also excellent is Alessandro Nivola as the stoic, but devastated rabbi/husband who never thought that his ordered life could be potentially upended. Good film. Chilly film. Still film. Ponderous. But beneath the placid veneer IS something passionate & interesting.
Also surprised to see Ronit is Esti (Rachel McAdams), another childhood friend; and for her part ... Ronit is stunned to learn that Dovid & Esti are now married. Ronit is further unsettled by her father's obituary, which says that he was "childless" + the news that she has not inherited her family's home. As we, the audience, tries to figure out why Ronit deserted her family & friends so long ago and, as she mourns by trying to reconcile her troubled relationship with her dad, a dormant connection btwn. Ronit & Esti re-ignites. Drama ensues.
Director Lelio tackles this tale of forbidden love within the shackles of strict religion with great care & restraint. Everything in 'Disobedience' is controlled. This is by design – an attempt to echo the powerful restraint of the community. Visually, 'Disobedience' stands-out for its restraint, as well. Danny Cohen provides a desaturated, chilly color palette that soaked into my bones as I watched. The look of the film + some interesting locales/settings {how often do you see this aspect of life -- Orthodox Jewish community in suburban London?} really piqued my interest.
The performances are all purposely understated, but quietly powerful. Rachel Weisz delivers a performance of great subtlety as the deeply-flawed Ronit, who maybe hoped to have things both ways and is unnerved that her choices may have led to heartache. She's not completely sympathetic, even if her emotions are understandable -- complex character, well-performed. Rachel McAdams is also stellar as a woman who 'escaped' {though, not in the same vein of Ronit} the shame of her homosexuality, into the stability & 'normality' of heterosexual marriage – else-wise, she'd have nowhere else to go.
Esti & Ronit inhabit a bleak, overcast world of antiseptic houses, stoic rooms & strict rituals -- the characters, settings & emotions are as cold & clinical as can be. BUT, their stolen moments together - a release of pent-up energy that's been stifled far beneath their facades - are profound and full of passion; as evidenced in their heralded love scene {including a spit-in-the-mouth moment}. Alone, they can be themselves rather than what their community demands & expects. Also excellent is Alessandro Nivola as the stoic, but devastated rabbi/husband who never thought that his ordered life could be potentially upended. Good film. Chilly film. Still film. Ponderous. But beneath the placid veneer IS something passionate & interesting.