Disobedience is an intense look at how our beliefs can hamper our happiness and relationships. New York photographer Ronit Krushka rushes back to her childhood home of London after learning about the death of her father. She had left the Orthodox Jewish community that had shunned her for being attracted to Esti, a female friend.
She arrives at her father’s house which is now run by his ‘religious son’ and his wife. Ronit is unsure whether to stay and struggles to suppress her grief and her feelings which have returned.
Esti loves her job but starts to question her own position in the community. She has a difficult decision to make but feels traps by her faith and marriage.
The film is like a chess game where the tension steadily increases as the stakes rise. The love triangle between the three main characters is influenced by the decision they each make, as well as other people in their community.
The film uses symbolism frequently – doors shut to signify the end of the relationship, an empty room symbolizes the part of the grieving process of losing a parent. There are gates and fences (beliefs) shutting us in.
The performances are faultless. The editing is sometimes short and sharp leaving you to fill in the gaps. This is most noticeable at the start and end.
The film is based on the novel of the same name by Naomi Alderman.
While the film Blue is the Warmest Colour allows you to walk in the character’s shoes and feel the intensity of the love between the two females. Disobedience makes you think about how you might be restricting your behaviour and desires to fit in with your peers and community.
Highly recommended.
5 stars
https://bleeckerstreetmedia.com/disobedience
Disobedience has a release date in Australian cinemas of 14 June 2018.
About Disobedience – Film
Directed by: Sebastián Lelio
Produced by: Frida Torresblanco, Rachel Weisz, Ed Guiney
Screenplay by: Sebastián Lelio, Rebecca Lenkiewicz
Based on Disobedience by Naomi Alderman
Starring Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola
Music by Matthew Herbert
Cinematography: Danny Cohen
Edited by Nathan Nugent
Running time 114 minutes
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