The black sheep of an Orthodox Jewish family (Rachel Weisz) causes more than a stir when she returns home
The black sheep of an Orthodox Jewish family (Rachel Weisz) causes more than a stir when she returns home.
Hackles rise after Weisz's prodigal daughter returns to her former community in north London from exile in New York following the death of her revered rabbi father.
Yet even greater scandal threatens when she rekindles her taboo relationship with her childhood friend (Rachel McAdams), who is now married to the rabbi's chosen heir (Alessandro Nivola).
Chilean director Sebastián Leilo unfolds this heady and suspenseful, beautifully acted adaptation of Naomi Alderman's 2006 debut novel amid a world of stifling claustrophobia, which makes the story's moments of transgressive desire all the more explosive.
And the director elicits superb, finely nuanced performances from his cast. Weisz conveys prickly rebellion and grief, and McAdams oozes buttoned-up reserve and passion, while Nivola proves equally good as the conflicted husband.
