A Price Above Rubies
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this movie.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that A Price Above Rubies is a movie about an Orthodox Jewish woman's awakening that involves a few scenes of forced intercourse through manipulation and coercion, a scene of intercourse between a man and his wife, some use of "f--k," profanity throughout, and mature themes about relationships, sexuality, and love. Although it's an interesting film about a niche community not often covered and explores interesting questions about religious faith and the role of passion within it, it's not meant for or suitable for kids.
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What's the Story?
Sonia (Renee Zellweger) is unhappily married to Mendel (Glenn Fitzgerald), a devout Jew who would rather spend his evenings counseling his fellow rabbis than with his wife. When her brother-in-law Sender (Christopher Eccleston) offers her a job buying jewelry for him in the city, she's excited until he begins to made demands on her beyond employment in exchange for the opportunity. Now Sonia must learn that everything has a price, including her own freedom, and reconcile her feelings about her marriage, her identity as a career woman and mother, and her place in a religious community that feels alien to her, all while being guided by the ghost of her younger brother, who drowned as a boy.
Is It Any Good?
A Price Above Rubies is an interesting film about a niche community we don't often see -- Hasidic Jews in Brooklyn. It offers a glimpse into the everyday experiences of their lives, struggles, and relationships, as told through a woman who sees it as an outsider. The characters are complex and interesting as they struggle to do their version of good and reconcile it against their passions, all within a community that values masculine intelligence and female obedience and imposes narrow, restrictive ideals about faith and goodness. There's a bit of a mafia-like sensibility to the way the culture is portrayed, but at the center of the story is a worthwhile question about whether women can ever have true agency and autonomy when so much is demanded of them as wives and mothers first. It's well-acted, if a bit heavy-handed, and raises some fascinating questions about art, faith, and passion. But the forced intercourse, intimidation, exploration of sexuality and autonomy here are much too mature for kids.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about how men are portrayed in this culture versus women.
What is the film's attitude about passion versus family or religious commitment?
How does the film view arranged marriage? What other depictions of arranged marriage have you seen? Are they positive or negative? What do you think the pros and cons of arranged marriage are?
Movie Details
- In theaters: March 25, 1998
- On DVD or streaming: January 18, 2000
- Cast: Renee Zellweger, Julianna Margulies, Christopher Eccleston
- Director: Boaz Yakin
- Studio: Miramax
- Genre: Drama
- Topics: Brothers and Sisters, Friendship
- Run time: 116 minutes
- MPAA rating: R
- Last updated: April 1, 2022
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