I reviewed Rama Burshtein’s latest film, a rom-com with an Orthodox Jewish setting, for the May/June issue of Film Comment. And this time, the review is also online. You can read my review here. It’s for the “short takes” section. All I will add is that (obviously) the lead actress touched me tremendously, and while it has all the rom-com tropes, plus some unbelievable plot points, I found The Wedding Plan almost unbearably emotional. It called up old old pain, shit I try not to look at anymore. A long era in my life where my loneliness literally – not metaphorically – literally woke me up in the middle of the night. Burshtein, Orthodox herself, and a wonderful film-maker, understands how these issues can be (and are, in a way) life and death. That’s why it’s funny, for sure (the DATES our heroine goes on!!), but that’s also why it’s touching. Recommended!
Oh, I love this actress! I will have to find a way to see it. The actress, Noa Kooler, has a small but really moving part on the Israeli TV show I love called Srugim (the guy who plays her rabbi in this movie is one of the leads on the show, and he’s great in it too). I imagine you have many shows on your docket but I think you’d like it. It gets called “Israeli Friends,” but there’s a lot more depth to it. Still really funny though. I think its on Hulu.
Kate – I love that you know who she is! I have not seen the series but I will definitely look for it. Her openness in The Wedding Plan is truly remarkable. It’s a funny movie but it comes from a very deep painful place. This is the kind of pain that takes your breath away. There’s a scene in the shrine to a famous rabbi – a place people go to offer prayers, ask for things – and her work in this scene is positively extraordinary.
I’m sure it will be streaming soon – so definitely keep an eye out.
and I’ll look for Israeli Friends!