A Price Above Rubies (1998)

Director:

Boaz Yakin

Writer (WGA):

Boaz Yakin (written by)

Release Date:

25 March 1998 (USA)

Genre:

Drama

Tagline:

In a world of rules... one woman is ruled by her passion.

Plot:

About a young woman who is married to a devout Jew and the problems that trouble their marriage because...

Plot Keywords:

Hasidim | Orthodox Jew | Rabbi | Sculptor | Adultery

Awards:

1 nomination

Cast

Renée Zellweger	...	Sonia Horowitz
Christopher Eccleston	...	Sender Horowitz
Julianna Margulies	...	Rachel
Allen Payne	...	Ramon Garcia
Glenn Fitzgerald	...	Mendel Horowitz
Kim Hunter	...	Rebbitzn
John Randolph	...	Rebbe Moshe
Kathleen Chalfant	...	Beggar Woman
Peter Jacobson	...	Schnuel
Edie Falco	...	Feiga
Timothy Jerome	...	Dr. Bauer (as Tim Jerome)
Phyllis Newman	...	Mrs. Gelbart
Joyce Reehling	...	Shaindy
Shelton Dane	...	Yossi
Jackie Ryan	...	Young Sonia

Also Known As:

A Price Below Rubies (USA) (working title)

MPAA:

Rated R for sexuality and brief language.

Runtime:

117 min

Country:

UK | USA

Language:

English

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.85 : 1

Sound Mix:

Dolby Digital

Certification:

Singapore:M18 | Iceland:L | Canada:14A (Ontario) | Argentina:16 | Australia:M | Chile:18 | France:U | USA:R | Germany:12

Filming Locations:

Bensonhurst, Brooklyn, New York City, New York, USA

Company:

Channel Four Films

Trivia:

Mendel says Sonia's birthstone is the ruby, this would make her birthdate somewhere in July.

Goofs:

Errors made by characters (possibly deliberate errors by the filmmakers): After the bris (circumcision ceremony), Mendel apologizes to Sonia for naming their son Shimmie "after the Rebbe." Shimmie is a nickname for Shim'on (Simon). However, the Rebbetzin (the Rebbe's wife) calls her husband Moishe. Also, at the eulogy for the Rebbe, the speaker refers to the him as "our own Moishe Rabbenu," clearly making a connection between him (and his name) and the prophet Moses.

Movie Connections:

Referenced in "Late Night with Conan O'Brien: The White Stripes (#17.30)" (2009)

Soundtrack:

Arovecha

A Tortured Soul Searches For Serenity

Having come from a similar background to the main character, Sonia Horowitz, I was able to empathize with her plight. Although there is much to be admired in the world of Orthodox Judaism, and Hasidism in particular, it is a community with a narrow, ethnocentric perspective with little latitude for behavior outside the philosophical norm. Many in the community who strive to exceed the acceptable boundaries find themselves isolated and ostracized for their non-conformal attitude. Sonia's journey, though not typical, had some of the elements I have personally experienced.

I must note, however, that the sexual intercourse scene between Sonia and Mendel, where they perform the act fully clothed, is not technically correct. Jewish law actually expects that the couple be completely unclothed. It places the burden upon the husband to satisfy his wife to the best of his ability. I realize to what purpose the scene was done the way it was, but it incorrectly portrayed a very private and sacred part of Jewish life.

I was deeply affected by this independent film targeted to a fairly limited audience. Renee Zellweger, a Catholic/Episcopalian Texas native, turned in a remarkable performance, and got many of the nuances right, as did many of the other performers.