It’s interesting how various cultures treat women and sexuality. In the film Disobedience, that takes place in London and involves the Jewish faith, the subject of lesbianism takes center stage. Totally taboo by their standards, yet treated in the film with caution, the message appears to be the freedom to choose. Although the film is well acted, directed and filmed, the story’s a bit unrealistic even in today’s climate of gay liberation.
Just finishing up a photo shoot in New York City, Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) gets a call that here father Rabbi Ray Krushka, a well-respected leader of the synagogue has died in London. Estranged from her dad, it will be a tough return to his funeral and seeing the faces of relatives, friends and clergy who she left behind many years ago.
She arrives at the home she once knew and many people have gathered. She gets some cold stares and then she spots her good friend Dovid Kuperman (Alessandro Nivola). She starts to feel better about being there until she finds out that her best friend Esti (Rachel McAdams) has become his wife. Astonished with the news, she congratulates Esti and Dovid and they invite her to stay at their home while she’s in London for the funeral.
So begins a film about love, renewing acquaintances, and stirring up a forbidden relationship from their past. Director and co-writer Sebastian Lelio does a pretty good job of giving all audiences an understanding of the Jewish faith and how it relates to the movie’s storyline. While most religions are not in favor of same sex love affairs, they still allow people to choose the path they want to take in life.
With his movie Disobedience, he draws on a deep seeded affair that started when Esti and Ronit becoming infatuated with each other at an early age. After being away from each other for so long, reasons for which I figure Ronit’s father, a Rabbi, forced her to do, the fire inside the two women becomes easily rekindled at their reunion. Early on in the film their magnetism blossoms with their first kiss and then becomes an inevitable stream of physical sensuality. When director/writer Sebastian Lelio adds a twist to the film, it becomes a heartbreaking turn of events.
Director Lelio does a good job of setting up the mood for his main scenes of passion and lets his actors do their thing. The acting by between Rachel Weisz as Esti and Rachel McAdams as Ronit looks very realistic, showing a longing for each other. And their union in the bedroom of a hotel gives off a good measure of steamy energy leading to a physical high point that comes off the screen as if the two performers were not just acting. It’s not easy to project oneself in a same sex scene and only a few have made it look real, especially, Cate Blanchett and Rooney Mara in the movie Carol.
Disobedience has been rated R by the MPAA for some strong sexuality. Be cautious when deciding to allow immature teens see the film as you may find the film’s content inappropriate for youngsters.
FINAL ANALYSIS: A good film for its acting and direction. (3.5 out of 5 Stars)
Additional Film Information
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Alessandro Nivola, Rachel McAdams, Nicholas Woodeson, David Fleeshman
Directed and co-written by: Sebastián Lelio
Genre: Drama, Romance
MPAA Rating: R for some strong sexuality
Running Time: 1 hr. 54 min.
Release Date: May 18, 2018
Distributed by: Bleecker Street Films
Writer, critic, film editor John Delia, Sr. has been on all sides of the movie business from publications to film making. He has worked as a film critic with ACED Magazine for more than 20 years and other publications for a total of 40 years. He earned a Bachelor’s degree in communications from the University of Florida. John is a member of the Southeastern Film Critics Association and Critics Association of Central Florida Send John a message at jdelia@acedmagazine.com
