Well, its way better than Eyes Wide Shut in fact its way better than Brokeback Cowboy, the film it in some ways resembles in its themes.
Set in the closed world of an ultra-orthodox Jewish society in Jerusalem, it revolves around three characters, Aaron, his wife Rivka, and Ezri. When his father dies Aaron takes over the family business, a dingy butchers shop, and puts a sign in the window for help. Student Ezri appears, who is lonely, without friends or family, so Aaron takes him in and puts him up in the room above the shop.
At home Aaron has an adoring wife, Rivka, and four children whom he dotes on. However, when he begins spending a lot of time with Ezri, Rivka begins to have suspicions about his behaviour. The two men go on a bathing trip together, and begin an affair which they both know will have enormous consequences should it ever become known.
Running parallel to this story is the way the tight-knit community treats an attractive girl, who is rumoured to be having an affair with an unsuitable man, just before her family try to marry her off. The harsh, vicious treatment she receives acts as a warning to Aaron, but he seems unable to stop himself.
Its a story weve seen many times before, but what makes this work so well is the detail and pacing. Aaron is not some flirtatious teenager, he is a deeply religious man who constantly questions his faith and initially sees the arrival of Ezri as a test. Ironically it is he, not Ezri, who makes the first move, but justifies it through his interpretation of his beloved religious texts. His wife meanwhile knows full well something is up, but makes her personal choices about it.
The eerie, hypnotic soundtrack adds to the mood of the piece, and only some slightly cheap looking internal shots break the spell its not a visually ravishing film by any means. However in almost every other its a satisfying look into a little-seen world, beautifully played and wonderfully nuanced.
Overall verdict: It will almost certainly be referred to as the Jewish Brokeback Mountain, but its superior to that Oscar winner apart from visually.
Reviewer: Mike Martin