A Price Above Rubies (1998)

This widely acclaimed motion picture features outstanding performances from Renee Zellweger (JERRY MAGUIRE, BRIDGET JONES'S DIARY) and Julianna Margulies (TV's ER, THE NEWTON BOYS). Sonia (Zellweger) is a young woman who always did just what was expected: she married the right man, moved to the right neighborhood, and had a beautiful baby. And yet, when she discovers an exciting world beyond her tightly knit community, it sparks a growing desire for independence that threatens the security of the perfect life she knows. See A PRICE ABOVE RUBIES for yourself, and learn why critics and audiences nationwide have praised this passionate movie gem!

Drama with a twist.

Excellent drama with a nicely twist to it. A religious culture versus western influences such as the Israel and Palestine tone. Excellent vehicle for the talented Renee Zellweger. March 16, 2008

Voyeuristic

I find this movie very soapy and the cash business within the community is fascinating. I have no idea if this movie is offensive to the Orthodox Jewish community but I am just nosy. June 4, 2007

Not an easy movie to watch

This was not an easy movie to watch. Simply because the idea of a Jewish brother in law complete with ultra Orthodox Jewish clothing, forcing his sister in law to have sex with him, turned my stomach. And the character Julianna Margulies plays which is a holier than thou, judgmental , Hasidic wife type is utterly convincing, but also the negative stereotype that many non Jews expect.

Renée Zellweger tries hard to make her character convincing, but her pouty face which has always bugged me, is distracting. In the end the movie shows that even in the ultra orthodox Jewish community which outsiders often see as mystical and odd, there are those who do the same awful things that the rest of society does. March 24, 2007

A Price Above Rubies

tHE WORST OF THE WORST I DON'T THINK I COULD EVER LOOSE MY TIME IN SUCH A WAY. November 5, 2006

It could have been better

I found this movie hard to follow. Renée Zellweger is playing a wife of an Orthodox scholar (Hasidic Judaism). He is very strong in his beliefs and she has no use for God. She is very much into the material world and what it has to offer. She gets a chance in the jewelry business through her brother-in-law but it has a high price. While working for him, she meets a Puerto Rican jewelry designer and artist whose work gives her joy but she also encounters grief by meeting him. The story is pretty much about a woman struggling to be herself in a rigid community. But you can also see how for some people it's very comforting to have strong rules and codes.

The movie is written and edited in such a way I found it hard to follow. Especially in the beginning. It's too bad because this could have been great movie. Instead I found myself frustrated watching it.
August 8, 2006

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