Rating: 
Summary: Beautiful sensual film
Review: "A Price Above Rubies" is a masterpiece. Zellweger gives an ethereal, yearning, performance as a frustrated housewife who feels trapped by her husband's religiosity, and her place in the Hassidic society. The film is poetic and will make you think. This movie has it all-passion, entertainment, and is never predictable. I especially liked the ending.
Rating: 
Summary: Zellweger Shines in Ethnic Drama; Divergent Viewpoints
Review: ... A carefully and compellingly rendered drama of a contemporary woman's stirring discovery of self, "A Price Above Rubies" is set in the context of a Hasidic Jewish/American community. Beautifully photographed, this film's acting sparkles -- and renders a reasonably accurate portrait of an easily caricatured community. Renee Zellweger establishes herself as a talent of unlimited possibilities. ... The film's feminist perspective is gracefully realized without belittling all guys -- which greatly enhances the film's power! (And lowers my blood pressure!) Production design is exceptional! Those Orthodox Jewish critics who are angered by this film's portrayal of Jewish Orthodoxy might have us believe that the world of Orthodoxy is monolithically benign. It is not. ... Traditional thought and practice -- orthodoxy in many settings -- has its beauties and strengths and -- like most things human-- it has its dark, shadow side as well. "A Price Above Rubies" depicts the delicate balance gone awry. For a very different, also wonderful film which depcts both light and shadow sides of Ameriocan Jewish traditionalism, but less critically of Orthodoxy, try "The Chosen" (1982) (adapted from Chaim Potok's book), with Robby Benson (quite good in this film, to my surprise), Rod Steiger and Maximillian Schell -- available on VHS, not yet on DVD. For me "The Chosen" is a five star, among my all-time top 10 films!
Rating: 
Summary: There's something irritating...
Review: ...about a movie that embraces the notion of communicating the Orthodox Jewish culture -- but there's only ONE sink in the kitchen.
Rating:
Summary: Zellweger Shines in Excellent "Price Above Rubies"
Review: A beautifully rendered drama of a contemprary woman's stirring discovery of self, A Price Above Rubies is set in the context of a Hasidic Jewish/American community. Exquisitely photographed, this film's acting sparkles -- and renders a reasonably accurate portrait of an easily caricatured community. Renee Zellweiger establishes herself as a talent of unlimited possibilities. The film's feminist perspective is gracefully realized without belittling all guys -- which greatly enhances the film's power! Production design is exceptional!
Rating:
Summary: A Zellweger Showcase Specially Relevant in Religious Era
Review: A carefully and compellingly rendered drama of a contemporary woman's stirring discovery of self, "A Price Above Rubies" is set in the context of a Hasidic Jewish/American community. Beautifully photographed, this film's acting sparkles -- and renders a reasonably accurate portrait of an easily caricatured community.
In a role played well before her current celebrity (circa Jerry Maguire), Renee Zellweger establishes herself as a talent of unlimited possibilities. That she doesn't "look Jewish" (by the stereotype) does not make her less convincing....
The film's feminist perspective is gracefully realized without
belittling all guys -- which greatly enhances the film's power! (And lowers my blood pressure!) While compelling in the early going, the plot becomes a bit overly complex. But the film remains very well worth watching throughout. Production design is exceptional!
Those Orthodox Jewish critics who are angered by this film's portrayal of Jewish Orthodoxy might have us believe that the world of Orthodoxy is monolithically benign. It is not.
Traditional thought and practice -- orthodoxy in many settings -- has its beauties and strengths, and -- like most things human-- it has its dark, shadow side as well. I've personally experienced both the light and the dark, and know they both exist. "A Price Above Rubies" depicts the delicate balance gone awry.
For a very different, also wonderful film which depicts both light and shadow sides of American Jewish traditionalism, but less critical of Orthodoxy, try "The Chosen" (1982) (adapted from Chaim Potok's book), with Robby Benson (quite good in this film, to my surprise), Rod Steiger and Maximillian Schell. For me "The Chosen" is a five star, among my all-time top 10 films!
Rating: 
Summary: I'd give it no stars if I could
Review: A perfect example of the nasty, bigoted view that secularists have of Hasidim. People always think that members of traditional cultures would leave if they only knew what was "out there." They are wrong. Hasidim know what is "out there" and that is why they are Hasidim. An inaccurate piece of garbage made by arrogant and ethnocentric Hollywood.
Rating:
Summary: uggh...
Review: A train wreck of a movie and not a particularly adequate depiction of Hassidic life.
Rating:
Summary: Great Movie!
Review: A very well directed movie with a great sense of humor.
Rating:
Summary: well-crafted discussion starter
Review: Although I could certainly understand why Orthodox followers would not find a message in this movie at all, it offers the suggestion that Orthodox Judaism, while fine for some, is devastating to others. It was quite a bit more emotionally involving than I had expected, but the questions that are raised make it well worth the energy. If you're looking for a film that celebrates Orthodox faith, this isn't it, but it is nonetheless a powerful story. Well-directed, Renee Zellwiger was excellent. Definitely a cause for discussion.
Rating:
Summary: AN INTENSE TALE OF EMANCIPATION. NOT ABOUT RELIGION.
Review: Beyond a touch of sensationalistic Hollywoodisation (over-simplifying the perceived orthodoxy of Jews) the movie is about a woman who is stifled in her relationship with a fanatically devout husband, and in that it etches an intermittently sharp portrait of a subculture caught between a rich historical legacy and a changing contemporary world. To me, the movie was NOT about the Hasidic way of life. I could see this film holding just about as relevant even if I replaced the community potrayed in it with any other. It is about the marital suffering of two people who are very different in their moorings. Renee Zellweger, the pivot, does a very convincing job of showing the desperation in a young woman's personal search, Sonia, who embarks on a search for not only herself but also her place in the world -- for the duration of the film Renee gave Sonia the precise dignity and emotion that the role deserved. The supporting cast were strong, Juliana Margulies certainly showing that she's doesn't always play the 'nice girl'. Christopher Eccleston was convincingly wicked and Glenn Fitzgerald puts in a credible performance as Mendel, the husband, capturing the essence of the role commendably. Bordering sometimes on being a chick-flick, the movie generally deals with feminine issues, and I would think that the emotional dominion would have it seldom appeal to a male audience. Which is quite evident in the other belittling reviews here. I recommend this film highly, although it is an intense one and perhaps not for every Joe Blogg. Make sure you're in the mood.
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