Loving Leah (2009)

A quirky love story revolving around the unexpected wedding and unconventional married life of a 26-year-old widow and her late husband's brother, a handsome 30-year-old cardiologist.

Director:

Jeff Bleckner

Writer:

Pnenah Goldstein

Stars:

Lauren Ambrose, Adam Kaufman, Susie Essman

Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy. Another 4 nominations.

Cast

Cast overview, first billed only:
Lauren Ambrose	...	Leah Lever
Adam Kaufman	...	Jake Lever
Susie Essman	...	Malka
Harris Yulin	...	Rabbi Belsky
Natasha Lyonne	...	Esther
Christy Pusz	...	Carol
Ricki Lake	...	Rabbi Gerry
Mercedes Ruehl	...	Janice Lever
Tonye Patano	...	Emily
Donnie Keshawarz	...	Raj
Sylvia Kauders	...	Widow Goldfarb
Jayne Houdyshell	...	Mrs. Finkelman
David Rossmer	...	Rabbi Benjamin Lever
Tibor Feldman	...	Dr. Saloway
Jolly Abraham	...	Priya

Storyline

When his estranged brother dies suddenly, Jake Lever is confronted with an old Jewish custom. In days past, a man was expected to marry his deceased brother's childless widow, but it is now customary to perform a ceremony releasing the pair from the obligation. During the Halizah ceremony, Jake feels uncomfortable renouncing his brother's memory. Additionally, Leah wishes to escape the confines of her orthodox community and avoid her mother's matchmaking. On the spur of the moment, Leah and Jake decide to enter into a platonic marriage of convenience.

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Plot Keywords:

levirate marriage | washington dc | boyfriend girlfriend relationship | cardiologist | brother brother estrangement | 

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Genres:

Drama | Romance

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Certificate:

TV-PG

Did You Know?

Trivia

In the Old Testament, Leah was the patient first wife of Jacob, the mother of one daughter, Dinah, and six sons including Reuben, Simeon, Levi, and Judah, and is considered one of the most important biblical matriarchs.

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Goofs

There is no Cambridge Street in Georgetown. And there is no Reform temple in Georgetown. In fact, there is no Reform congregation called "Temple Torah" anywhere in the Greater Washington area. Ironically, the only synagogue in Georgetown is Orthodox. Leah would have loved it. In addition, there is no Metro (subway) stop in Georgetown so Leah could not have taken the Metro to the Dupont Circle station. She would have walked it.

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Connections

References The Way We Were (1973)

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Soundtracks

Everything
Written by Michael Bublé, Amy Foster-Gillies, and Alan Chang
Performed by Michael Bublé

User Reviews

freedom to live your life to the fullest

This title reminds me of a filipino actress: Lea Salonga. She had a show before title Love, Lea. and an album Leah in Love(1999). Well maybe that's how they came up with the title. Additional info: Leah Salonga sang as Mulan in Disney's Mulan Movie.

it might not a high budget action movie. but will always be a favorite. well mine. I love this movie! by just watching this movie... i felt so happy all day. Leah isn't a usual woman. She lives her life w/ restrictions. She wants to live her life to the fullest you know. i'm not a jew but i can relate to her. She got what she wants in the end Freedom and L.O.V.E. Her journey is so romantic and liberating...

Details

Official Sites:

CBS

Country:

USA

Language:

English

Release Date:

25 January 2009 (USA)

Also Known As:

Hallmark Hall of Fame: Loving Leah episode #58.2

Company Credits

Production Co:

Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions

Technical Specs

Runtime:

95 min

Sound Mix:

Stereo

Color:

Color

Aspect Ratio:

1.33 : 1