70
Metascore
7 reviews · Provided by Metacritic.com
- 90The New York TimesA.O. ScottThe New York TimesA.O. ScottIts scrupulous, humane sympathy gives this small, sorrowful film a glow of insight and a pulse of genuine, openhearted curiosity.
- 70VarietyVarietyQuietly devastating picture reps a natural draw for gay, Jewish-interest and upscale audiences.
- 70Village VoiceVillage VoiceMostly, though, it wins with excellent performances: Strauss never overplays his character's internal tension, nor does Danker camp up his youthful virility.
- 63New York PostKyle SmithNew York PostKyle SmithQuiet, sober and tense, the movie makes some interesting points -- contrasting the frenzied hookups of the two men with the butcher's rote, dismal lovemaking with his wife as their bodies are carefully hidden under sheets -- but it lacks the emotional firepower of "Brokeback Mountain."
- 60The Hollywood ReporterRay BennettThe Hollywood ReporterRay BennettThe observational detail is impressive and the two men's growing affection is well-drawn but Takerman's depiction of the conventions and strictures of religion and the impulses of two closeted gay men are too understated to achieve universality.
- 60Time OutTime OutCall it "Brokeback Talmud"--not just for its taboo-busting depiction of a gay affair between Orthodox Israelis, but because it adopts Ang Lee’s slow-burn seriousness almost to a fault.
- 60Boxoffice MagazineMark KeizerBoxoffice MagazineMark KeizerTo say the movie is understated is an understatement, yet it’s justified.