Monday, April 18, 2011
GAYS AND GOD
Today's film was the NYTimes Critics' Pick
This is an Israeli film. Two men living in a strict orthodox Jewish enclave fall in love and, worse, act on it.
Again, we see the wages of sin in a religious community.
Gay and god don't go very well together. Of course, this is not really god. It is a manifestation of an ingrown sect's worst fears.
In that sense they are not much different than anyone else who hate difference. There is a morals possee that identifies sinners and corrects incorrect behavior. Along side the men's story are the love story of a straight couple where the guy is not chosen by the family to be the husband. They bend to the will of the community.
It is interesting to get a look inside a community like this. We have a congregation of Lubitchers here in PS and they have the hats and forelocks and all. I suppose they have the moral codes as well.
In a way, this is an all too predictable story. We have heard it over and over. Believe me, the Methodists can do a good job of censure and shunning as well. But not outright attack, I think. They are too muddled about their own beliefs to get that strong.
So here we have family values again. And the complicator here is that one man does have kids. Well, I know a thing of two about that.
I am glad that I watched it. It is a well done film. The tone is rather depressed when we are in the community and that is what I think it must feel like in there. When the men are together, the colors come up a bit. There is some more joy. But not much. Hiding sort of kills the thrill.
Very subtle performances from the two men and very convincing gay scenes.
I will give it a 3 out of Netflix5.
Labels: films
