Movie Review: ‘DISOBEDIENCE’ a stirring love story that doesn’t judge its players

Preston Barta // Features Editor

DISOBEDIENCE

Rated R, 114 minutes.
Director: Sebastián Lelio
Cast: Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola, Allan Corduner, Nicholas Woodeson, David Fleeshman, Cara Horgan and Steve Furst

DISOBEDIENCE is as refreshing a love story as last year’s CALL ME BY YOUR NAME. Not because it’s about two people (a very good Rachel Weisz and Rachel McAdams) of the same sex who fall in love with one another, but because it neither rushes its story (about a woman who returns to her Jewish Orthodox community to bury her late father and reignites her passions with a childhood friend) or judges its characters.

Everyone has clear fears and motivations for their feelings. Even the husband of McAdams’ character (Alessandro Nivola), a young rabbi looking to take over for the community’s elderly rabbi, isn’t vilified. It’s both respectful of the community’s traditions and presents a human story we can connect with. It’s a great, tension-filled drama that addresses complex issues (religion, sexuality and family) and challenges viewers to consider their own responses to these issues.

Grade: B+

DISOBEDIENCE opens in limited release this weekend.
Dallas: Angelika Film Center in Plano and Magnolia Theatre in Dallas.