Rachel Weisz is the single, estranged, only child of her father, a recently deceased Chief Rabbi (Orthodox), and is recalled to London from New York by a best friend (Rachel McAdams) to pay her respects. It's not made clear what exactly had given rise to the split with her father. On arriving in London she finds that another childhood friend, Alessandro Nivola, now an aspiring rabbi himself (and desired successor to the deceased Chief Rabbi) and McAdams have, to her surprise, married. Weisz is, if not directly shunned by the Jewish community, made to feel uncomfortable in its presence, largely on the grounds of being seen as having deserted her father in his time of ill health. She is questioned about her being not yet married, and reminded of her 'duty' to raise a family.
One day when she and McAdams are out alone, a relationship between the two women which, one assumes, had been instigated some years previously, is resumed, to which, the husband, noticing his wife's absences grows suspicious, though unexpressed.
I found this an absorbing story, very well played by the three at the centre. There's much simmering emotion going on underneath for each of them so they have to show us what they're thinking through expressions and reactions. The services in the synagogue are also excellently handled.
As well as starting with questions that aren't answered the film ends on the same unresolved note, though I didn't find this in any way detracted from the overall satisfaction of the piece.
It's mainly filmed in Golders Green, the principal Jewish area of the capital.
I don't know much about Chilean Director (and co-writer of this) Sebasian Lelio's background, but he handles the subject matter with great sensitivity as well as sympathy for the situation in which the two women find themselves. I've no significant complaints there.
It's a story that drew me in and kept my attention throughout its close on two hours' length....................7.
(IMDb.................6.6 / Rott. Toms...........7.2 )
Yes,it was a story that holds the attention to the end albeit if the film overall is a big of a missed opportunity for a great gay lesbian film and a wishy washy ending. I am surprised you gave it a 7. I would have thought it merited more of a 5 from you.
ReplyDeleteA '5' would have indicated an average. unexceptional film, Rachel, but it was far better than that.
DeleteI thought that from your own posting (on which I hadn't commented) you would have taken issue with my positive view of it. I wouldn't have minded if you had, though you seem to have had a higher opinion than I'd gleaned.
You need to understand me more perhaps. My journalese was a bit of fun. I did enjoy the film but as I said, I thought it could have gone a tad further and was disappointing in that respect. Reading between the lines with me means that you need to pick up on my sense of humour. It probably takes years!
DeleteI'll try to attune my readings of your blogs to what you say, Rachel. I do know what you mean, though. I've been told several times that my sense of humour is very dry - "almost desiccated" one said - which isn't as easy to get across in writing as it can be in face-to-face conversation. I'll bear your angle in mind next time I read one of yours.
DeleteNorfolk humour is very different to that of the rest of the country and often difficult for others to identify. It leads to misunderstanding of me on my blog I'm afraid.
DeleteI'm looking forward to this Raymondo
ReplyDeleteIt's a captivating one, JayGee. If you can live with open endings you're sure to like it.
DeleteI'm a huge Rachel Weisz fan. We just saw her in The Favourite and I loved her in that, so i cannot wait for this one!
ReplyDeleteWe don't get 'The Favourite' until next month, Bob. As to why we have to wait longer than some other countries remains an annoying little mystery.
DeleteVery happy to see your review today as I just watched it Sunday evening and wanted to see another person's take on it. Very thought provoking which compels me to go back and watch certain parts again. My main complaint: I hate open-endings, so I want to resolve this in my mind.
ReplyDeleteAlso watched "Colette" which I loved. Very sumptuous, breathtaking and hedonistic. Looked for a review on your blog, but couldn't find one. Have you seen it?
I still don't understand how films are released. "Disobedience" I don't believe ever saw a darkened theater here. But there it was - on Amazon Prime - included in the price of a membership, And "Colette" which just left the theater last week was there too. Just no rhyme or reason to how a film is released.
Until yesterday when we first saw the trailer of 'Colette' I wasn't aware that there was a film in the offing of that title. We'll probably have to wait a few more week before we get it.
DeleteVery surprised indeed that 'Disobedience' didn't get a cinema release over there. Orthodox Jews are far much less visible in number in this country than, I think, in many other 'Western' countries. They tend to congregate in pockets in Britain, Golders Green in London being this country's most prominent area.
Although that religion is mentioned in many a film it's rare to find it so up-front as it is in this film, but that's because it's so intrinsic to this tale of clashed values.