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Disobedience: A Movie Review
Have you ever felt completely torn between your beliefs and your desires? Even though it sounds like a cliché, that’s exactly what the movie “Disobedience” is about. It sparked a lot of controversy even before it premiered, but is it really worth all the attention it’s been getting? Let’s find out.
The Storyline
The plot revolves around Ronit (played by Rachel Weisz), a successful photographer in New York who returns to her Orthodox Jewish community in London after hearing about her father’s death. Not only does she have to confront the mourning of her father’s passing, but also the guilt from their last conversation, and the judgmentalness of a conservative community she longed to escape from. She meets up with old friends Dovid (played by Alessandro Nivola) and Esti (played by Rachel McAdams), who are now married. Things get complicated when Ronit and Esti reignite their relationship that was halted in their youth due to disapproval from the community.
Once again, we have a story about forbidden love in a repressive world.
The Casts
The casting choices were perfect for this movie. The chemistry between Weisz and McAdams felt natural as old friends-turned-lovers; they were convincing playing characters bearing the burden of their forbidden love. Nivola’s performance as a conflicted rabbi and husband was equally impressive. All three actors gave a genuine portrayal of their characters’ struggles with faith, community, and desire.
The Plot
The movie was based on Naomi Alderman’s novel of the same name. It follows the novel closely, even keeping all the controversial scenes from the book.
The plot itself is not particularly ground-breaking, as it explores themes previously seen in other films such as “Brokeback Mountain” or “Moonlight”. However, Hollywood has never tackled a story about two women falling in love within an orthodox Jewish community before. The setting gives it a unique layer that only enriches the story.
The History
The movie sparked controversy even before its release due to its graphic sex scenes between female leads. Orthodox Jewish organizations claimed that it was an inaccurate representation of their community’s values and condemned the portrayal of homosexuality in their faith. Nevertheless, director Sebastián Lelio defended his movie by stating that it is not about religion nor sexual identity; it’s about love and human nature.
The Cinematography
The movie’s cinematography was simple yet effective in capturing the emotions of the story. The cold and grey landscapes of London had a symbolic meaning for Ronit, it represents the loneliness and depression of her past life in this community. Meanwhile, the use of close-up shots during intimate scenes made it feel even more raw and vulnerable.
The Soundtracks
The soundtrack fitted well with the melancholic tone of the movie. It had songs such as “Love My Way” by The Psychedelic Furs, which gave a nostalgic feel to Ronit’s memories, and “McQueen” by Kate Tempest, which was hauntingly beautiful during the closing credits.
The Evaluation
Overall, I thought “Disobedience” was a well-made movie. The plot was simple yet powerful, and Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams’ performances were outstanding. It is a slow-burning emotional journey that explores complex themes such as faith, sexuality, love, family and personal growth.
My Opinion
As someone who grew up in a conservative community where homosexuality is also considered taboo, I found myself relating to the characters’ struggles with their own identity and desires. It is not an easy decision to choose between your happiness or your faith. It made me question whether something is truly wrong if it brings no one harm, and whether love should always be constrained to a certain gender or religion.
However, as much as I enjoyed watching this movie, I must address the fact that it sometimes feels like it is trying too hard to make a statement rather than just telling a story. Some scenes feel forced, and certain characters lack depth. Nevertheless, it is still an important movie that sheds light on the reality of being LGBTQ+ in a repressive world.
The Final Verdict
If you are looking for a slow-burning romantic drama that explores themes often overlooked by Hollywood, you should give “Disobedience” a chance. However, if you are not into introspective movies with heavy themes and graphic content, then maybe this is not the movie for you.
“Disobedience” did not make me cry nor jump from my seat in excitement; instead, it made me think. It resonated with me on a personal level, and it reminded me that sometimes what we want is not always what we need.