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Movie Review: “The Women’s Balcony” Is Comedy At Its Finest With Just Enough Tenderness & Heart

[yasr_overall_rating]
 

A bar mitzvah mishap causes a major rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem.

Set in Jerusalem, “The Women’s Balcony” gives a window into the lives of a small, working-class orthodox community, and the turmoil that ensues when their temple suffers major structural damage. Their beloved Rabbi suffers a mental breakdown and leaves the community floundering and without leadership.

This would all seem like an introduction to a tragic story full of heartache and sorrow but through the brilliant writing of Shlomit Nehama and insightful direction from Emil Ben-Shimon, a story is told with a great deal of laughter to see it through the few tears.

When the community flounders after the mental breakdown of their Rabbi, fate steps in to stir the pot by bringing a young Rabbi from the university to their door. He steps into the situation with open arms, and at first, seems to be a Godsend. Very quickly, however, his radical conservative opinions and views begin to divide the community. Moreover, the young Rabbi’s teachings and influence divide the women of the community.

With the women divided on how the rebuilding of the temple should take place, and what traditions are of most value, the men of the community quickly realize how much influence their wives and daughters truly have on the health and happiness of the congregation.

I was particularly charmed and tickled by the importance and symbolism of food used throughout the film. It takes a spotlight at the beginning of the story as everyone gathers for a bar mitzvah bringing and sharing favorite dishes. It plays a major role in showing the love between the husband and wife that most everyone looks up to as leaders in the community. Food then helps show the division amongst the women when a dinner is not attended, and worse, when food is refused, for fear that the person offering it hasn’t followed the strict kosher laws the young rabbi is preaching.

To add even more friction between the women, a romance between one of the more liberal thinking young women and the new rabbi’s assistant blooms.

A perfect balance of tension, laughter, and tears is created in the telling of “The Women’s Balcony.” It gave me a moment of introspection on the influence the women in my life have had on me, and the communities I’ve lived in. Though very funny, the story never falls into the trap of using shtick or stereotyping to entertain. The characters are very genuine and believable.

The heartfelt story, exceptional acting talent, and striking photography will have me wanting to see this movie more than once.

“The Women’s Balcony” opens in NY May 26th at the Lincoln Plaza Cinemas and at the Quad Cinema

 

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