Actually, really liked it....

I know this goes against people's general opinion, but I think this was a pretty good movie, if you ignore some of the really dumb dialogue that Melanie Griffith had to say, which wasn't exactly her fault. The following points are what stood out for me:

1. All the Jewish characters were quite believable (at least in my limited knowledge of them) and carried out their roles well. Very touching actually how close knitted the community is portrayed. One almost wishes to belong to them, as Melanie's character undoubtedly did.

2. Melanie's character went through an interesting transition, she actually looked very different at the start of the movie in comparison to the ending (and I'm not talking about her highlights). Her entire persona changed, much more sure of herself (but not cocky, like she used to be) happy with herself, at peace... which she obviously wasn't at first. I think Melanie portrayed this transition excellently. Needless to say, in the beginning she really spat out some horrible cliches, but that's also characteristic of 90's filmmaking, so we can't be too harsh either.

3. The supporting actor, Eric Thal, was the best portrayal of all because he really seemed to be a deeply religious man confused by the outsider, on the verge of actually succumbing to his more baser instincts. :)
The chemistry between him and Melanie Griffith was explosive throughout, but two scenes stand out: the one in the yard, at night, when she forces him to read parts of the Kabbalah and when he visited her in her apt. It was extremely well played and heartfelt when he begged Melanie to stop or he wouldn't be able to either. Which reminds me, why did he wash his hands right after? To "cool down" or because he had touched something 'impure'?

4. The short scenes with Jamey Sheridan were also touching, particularly the last one when she broke up with him. This was the turning point of her transition, when she demonstrated she's not happy being who she was and needed something else.

5. I really wanted them to stay together, but it was obviously impossible. However, Ariel's bride-to-be, Shayna (Rena Sofer, an actual Jew) appeared to be so young, beautiful, and intelligent so one can't really grudge her the sexy Ariel. They chose really well when they selected this actress.

The not so good...
1. As I mentioned already, Melanie G.'s awkward lines. They wanted to make her street smart and all, but her repeating endlessly about "the things she's seen" isn't exactly convincing. However, once she gets immersed in the Hassidic family, she stops having these ridiculous lines (at least not so often). The screenwriter, Robert Avrech, never really made it and one can observe the reason.

2. I know this is kind of shallow, but Melanie's hair! It looks like a brown football helmet when she first shows it off. When Ariel tells her it's 'becoming' I wanted to laugh! Then again, it is the 90's... but her hair at first was nice, couldn't they have just changed the color without adding so much hairspray! Oh well...

3. Mara, Tracy Pollan, acted terrible, incredibly OTT! Exaggeration central. It was obvious from the moment she asked Dt. Eden what she was doing, and after hearing the explanation, how she hesitated with a horrified expression for an endless minute and suddenly burst out with happiness. She was definitely one of the weaker (or weakest) actress there. Too high-strung all the time, anybody would have suspected her without being a detective. Either bad directions or she was just a lost cause... too bad because she was the key to the whole story, they should have cast somebody else.

4. I didn't like John Pankow that much either, he too came across as too sleezy to be real, but then again maybe because reality is painful to watch? ;)
He was just too similar to his character from 'All About You', so I wasn't overly impressed. Nonetheless he sort of grew on me towards the end of the movie. He too was one of the ones with the dumbest lines.


Ok, this is my 'review', for all it's worth! I'd like to hear your different takes on it! :)



No Englishman'd dream of dying in someone else's home,esp. of someone they didn't know!