DVD Review: Disobedience

A walk down bad memory lane.

Ronit (Rachel Weisz) is a photographer in New York who returns to her Orthodox Jewish community in England for her father's funeral. She was shunned years before after being caught in a tryst with her friend, Esti. (Rachel McAdams) Esti seems to have been forgiven and is now married to their childhood friend, Dovid (Alessandro Nivola) who is also going to be the successor to Ronit's father at their temple, but Ronit being back brings up a lot of old memories.

My theater had this for a bit, but I skipped it. The reviews were lukewarm, and I wasn't sure if it was a theater watch for me. It would've been, I enjoyed this quite a bit.

At first I was slightly confused on where this community was supposed to be. I know England has a lot of different accents but this one I hadn't heard before. At first listen, it sounded like a bunch of Americans trying to do an English accent, but even Weisz spoke that way. I don't know how well it's done not being familiar with it, but that took a bit of getting used to. 

Weisz, McAdams, and Nivola are wonderful in these roles. McAdams was the standout because this is so different from what she normally does. She plays someone who is kind of shell shocked and going through the motions very well. Nivola is an actor who I'd seen in bit parts before but never with enough material as he got here. I liked that the film tackled how being born into these ultra religious communities can really affect people if their minds wander outside of it. All three characters represent different parts. Ronit who got out, Esti who dreams of it, and Dovid who has accepted it. Of course, it's easier for him as a man.

I wish at times we would've gotten a bit more information at times. I feel the film barely scratched the surface with some of the character's back stories but overall this was an enjoyable watch.

Recommended: Yes

Grade: B

Memorable Quote: "Give me my freedom." - Esti (Rachel McAdams)