The Women's Balcony

Name: The Women's Balcony
Genre: Drama, Comedy
Released: March 3, 2017
Duration: 96 min
Rating: 74

2017

METASCORE

Generally favorable reviews based on 13 Critics

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Mixed or average reviews based on 5 Ratings

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The Women's Balcony

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Movie Details & Credits

Not Rated

Menemsha Films | Release Date: March 3, 2017

Summary: An accident during a bar mitzvah celebration leads to a gender rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem, in this rousing, good-hearted tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power. When the women’s balcony in an Orthodox synagogue collapses, leaving the rabbi’s wife in a coma and the rabbi in shock, the congregation fallsAn accident during a bar mitzvah celebration leads to a gender rift in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem, in this rousing, good-hearted tale about women speaking truth to patriarchal power. When the women’s balcony in an Orthodox synagogue collapses, leaving the rabbi’s wife in a coma and the rabbi in shock, the congregation falls into crisis. Charismatic young Rabbi David appears to be a savior after the accident, but slowly starts pushing his fundamentalist ways and tries to take control. This tests the women’s friendships and creates an almost Lysistrata-type rift between the community’s women and men. [Menemsha Films]… Expand

Director: Emil Ben-Shimon

Genre(s): Drama, Comedy

Rating: Not Rated

Runtime: 96 min

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Critic Reviews

Arizona Republic - Randy Cordova

Jun 8, 2017

Call it a battle-of-the-sexes comedy set in a devout Orthodox community in Jerusalem. But, in its own quiet and friendly way, the film goes deeper than that, looking at how conservative religious views can clash with more moderate ways. Read full review

Village Voice - Jordan Hoffman

May 25, 2017

This light and predictable movie, with its overwhelming box office success, still offers tremendous insight into day-to-day Israeli society. Read full review

The New York Times - Nicole Herrington

May 25, 2017

The entire cast is solid, but the women, especially Ms. Hagoel, bring depth to their comedic and dramatic turns. Read full review

RogerEbert.com - Sheila O'Malley

May 26, 2017

While the mood is that of a gentle and affectionate comedy, the film makes some extremely sharp points about fanaticism, sexism masked as holiness, and tolerance among the faithful. Read full review

Boston Globe - Peter Keough

Jul 5, 2017

Rendered heartfelt and compelling by an outstanding cast. Read full review

San Francisco Chronicle - David Lewis

Jun 14, 2017

It’s impossible to resist a film that has such rich characters, and makes a complicated subject both enlightening and entertaining. Read full review

Washington Post - Pat Padua

Jun 15, 2017

Although the film ultimately strikes a celebratory tone, the stark divisions it reveals offer an unsettling look at the state of public discourse. Read full review

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User Reviews

JLuis_001

Nov 21, 2017

An Israeli film that does not escape the formulaic tones but offers a good story centered on a theme that must remain brutally relevant in our times, where religious extremism always ruins things like the coexistence of this community, do not submit, even if you believe in some sort of God.An Israeli film that does not escape the formulaic tones but offers a good story centered on a theme that must remain brutally relevant in our times, where religious extremism always ruins things like the coexistence of this community, do not submit, even if you believe in some sort of God. God is what you personally make of it, not what you're being told it is.… Expand

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