A Price Above Rubies

source: A Price Above Rubies

A Price Above Rubies

I found this movie reasonably interesting. It offers a glimpse into a society that not everyone knows about, the ultra-orthodox Jews in America. It portrays the struggle of a woman in this society to achieve self-fulfillment. Unlike previous commentators here, I thought the movie was quite realistic. However, the plot is slightly slow and expected, and this causes the otherwise powerful concepts and questions involved to lose some of their ability to move you.

"...Rubies" is a well crafted film set in New York City's diamond district and Hassidic enclave and focused on the struggle of one young Jewish woman-wife-mother's struggle to reconcile the strict rigors of Hassidic righteousness with her humanness and free will. This earnest film making effort does a good job of balancing Jewish orthodoxy with the need for freedom from piety and ritual even though the central character (Zellweger) tilts the film toward the latter in her soul-searching quest. The religious esoterics of the subject may narrow the audience/market for this film's plaintive and touching drama.

Renée Zellweger really turns in a splendid performance as Sonia Horowitz, the wife of a man (Glenn Fitzgerald) who is extremely devout, so devout that he neglects her and does not appreciate what he has. Frustrated, she gets an opportunity to shine, and shine she does. Her brother-in-law Sender (Christopher Eccleston), a man without a conscience, sets her up as one of his jewelry buyers. Sonia (Zellweger) was a woman in chains: her parents, her religion, and society. Her brother-in-law helped her break those chains, but forced more upon her. She eventually got strong enough to break free from him also. At the same time, and we are not shown why or how, her husband became a freer man, and recognized what was truly important. There were also notable performances by Allen Payne and Julianna Margulies.

I am not Jewish and I don't have much knowledge regarding the principles of this religion, I can see how this film was less then favorable among the community who is aware of its culture more then I am. The story line was vague at points and we were left with unresolved meanings behind the interaction of Sonia with many characters we meet outside of Hasidic community. I must say however that Renée Zellweger who played Sonia Horowitz was brilliant in this film, her acting, her demeanor, her power, her vigor. Powerful! She carries this film among the rest two-dimensional characters and for that alone I will give the film 10/10.

I would like to comment on Renee's portrayal of the character Sonia--she was absolutely incredible! So many of her roles have been in the "cutesy" genre. This role was devoid of being "cutesy" at all. She was gutsy, believable and did a very good Brooklyn accent. I had never heard of this movie for one reason or another, and I'm glad I caught it on cable. A very, very good movie. One other comment: I am a Protestant, and I know very little about the Jewish faith. This movie peaked my curiosity for more knowledge about Hasidic followers of Judaism. I Googled and read about the beginning of the Hasidic beliefs. Once again, the cinema has enlightened me about a subject I previously had no knowledge of.

I just want to mention that sequence where the old head rabbi dies in the arms of his wife after making love to her. He was inspired to do this after he heard the Zellweger character articulate the heat inside her that would not be satisfied.... At the memorial ritual ceremony, the newly widowed woman smiles in rapture at Sonia. Very telling sequence as it shows the essence of the passion in the Sonia character. This is one of those movies that is riveting upon seeing it again - even if only in parts on TV - years after the initial theatrical release which I saw years ago. I need one more line of text here so let me state that I had to check to see if Renee Zellweger is Jewish in real life. She is not. Goes to show you how well she played this role. Thanks to all those who made such a brilliant film.

An ode to unconformity, the all-time human right to be different. The heroine Sonia is a member of an apparently highly traditional Jewish society. Traditional values and ethics are an every-day practice, the 'law' everyone lives by and to which everyone abides without questioning. Hence a break from the norm is considered high treason. However Sonia finds it difficult to conform. Although a fierce battle rages inside her, she has to live with her identity and consider the people she loves before trying to free herself from rules and commitments.

A moving film about religious fanatism (and not against Jewry) and emancipation with convincing actresses and actors. Very recommendable!