Director: Sebastian Lelio
By Alex Watson
Sebastian Lelio is a director who seems to know the right way to produce heart-wrenching drama. His Oscar-winning 'A Fantastic Woman' showed a trans-woman who is openly oppressed while dealing with tragedy. In his new effort Disobedience, he focuses his attention on another forbidden romance. Throughout this picture, there is a repressed emotion that builds to almost stifling levels. Based within the Orthodox Jewish community, we see a love that is in every way forbidden but also deeply desired. Unfortunately, what should have been a blueprint for a movie of high feelings and tension instead has a rather deflated feel.
After years away in New York, Ronit Krushka (Rachel Weisz) returns home to her old community in London following the death of her Rabbi father. Previously ostracized for admitting her feelings for old flame Esti (Rachel McAdams), her return immediately causes friction amongst the Orthodox community. She also learns that Esti is now married to their old childhood friend Dovid Kuperman, who highly favoured by her late father. Both Ronit and Esti are still drawn to one another, but with so much at stake- can they resist?
While his previous effort had sparks popping frequently, Disobedience is a move that will likely polarize viewers. Lelio is well suited to the movie's emotional core and he does a fine job of portraying the mixed reception Ronit receives when she first returns. Declared dead by her old father and cast aside to the memory of the past, she is always fighting to exist within the community she grew up in. When she encounters Esti, Lelio does bring some wonderful repressed feelings to the surface. The problem we face here is that movie takes far too long to bring things to where they need to be. We understand early on that Esti is a woman trapped in a very traditional world and that Ronit's more free-spirited nature could bring both of them ruin. The sad part, this is where the movie's main focus seems to lie and Lelio spends too much time wallowing in this buttoned-up desire.
Part of the issue in this movie is the subject matter itself. Frequently we get the sense that this movie isn't entirely confident portraying the Orthodox community and instead shows it as a rather narrow-minded and confrontational one. Dovid, in particular, suffers as a supporting character and throughout we see him a staunched traditionalist whose views will inevitably collide with his wife's. Esti is confined to what seems like a miserable existence, but we never truly get the sense of why she is sticking it out? While is picture does portray some of the dangers of Esti and Ronit romance, it feels like it is simply running down the clock until the final confrontation between characters.
When showing the desire this romance holds, the picture feels more in its element. Ronit and Esti share a passion that has never dwindled. Both yearn to live a life of happiness, but there is an inevitability and fear of breaking free of what Esti knows. While we want this to be the great love tale of 2018, Lelio's remains far too focused on the differences between characters. During the movie's finale, the previously repressed feel is finally broken and during this stretch, there are finally bursts of colour. Sadly, we feel this is too little too late and we are left to reflect on what could have been.
Rachel Weisz is an extremely talented actress, but this role feels like familiar ground for her. She is used to playing these sort of outspoken and rebellious roles. While as usual, she has a strong presence on screen, Weisz doesn't feel like she is testing herself. Rachel McAdam's Esti is also slightly underwhelming and this character feels like a rather blank slate. One of Hollywood's most consistent actresses, she is fine in this role and it is a more daring one that she has previously played. However, McAdam's is giving precious little in return. Alessandro Nivola does a great showcase in subdued feelings and his Dovid is the one we come away feeling worst for. A committed yet old-fashioned husband, he simply wants his wife to stay.
Disobedience both delights and frustrates in equal measure. Sebastian Lelio is a magnificent director, but this picture feels like a mismatch for him.
