Customer Reviews

Loving Leah: Hallmark Hall of Fame Gold Crown Collector's Edition

5 star:		(20)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

This movie demonstrated, in a very interesting and well-acted film, the unusual custom, amoung orthodox Jews, of marriage between a man and the widow of his brother, in order to keep the name and family going. Being Hallmark, it was a little sappy, but quite enjoyable as the "couple" out of mutual respect, learn to really care about each other and see their lives differently as a result of this unusual arrangement.

I would love to buy this DVD, but the price is much too exhorbitant for a single movie.

Here we have the age-old theme of a marriage of convenience, and we all know what happens to those in most fictional settings. But the twists and turns this story takes along the way make it an entertaining journey. The characters are colorful and interesting, from the stereotypical Jewish mother, to the outspoken housekeeper that befriends Leah. It is fun to see Leah find herself as she moves away from the Orthodox community, but that in and of itself may present a problem for some viewers. The idea that she has to compromise the teachings of her faith to find happiness may not set well with everyone, though her own mother does appear to eventually come to terms with it.
But the story isn't all smooth sailing. The handsome young doctor marries his sister-in-law because otherwise he would have had to participate in a ceremony that would have denied the existence of his brother, whom he had loved deeply as a child, but hadn't found common ground with as an adult before he died. His fiancee is not too happy with the new arrangement and issues an ultimatum. He promises to tell Leah that she needs to move out, but can't seem to find the right moment. When he finally realizes he loves Leah he struggles with feelings that he is somehow betraying his brother by doing so. That is when Leah decides to leave him.
*Spoiler Alert*
When you see the picture on the cover it seems that is spoiler enough, but in case that didn't give it away for you, they do eventually work out their issues and get back together for real. So if you would enjoy a story where a sweet, unassuming, but sometimes feisty young woman wins the affection of a successful and attractive young doctor, then this may be right up your alley.
Pretty much family friendly--there are a couple of kissing scenes that lean toward the passionate side. They do share a bed in one scene when they are trying to convince Leah's mother that they are "really married", but they are fully pajama-clad, have pillows as a barrier between them--and, after all, they are married. When they do finally realize they love each other you see them in the kitchen doorway in a passionate embrace one minute and the next thing you see is Leah coming out of his bedroom in her nightie the next morning as he is fixing her breakfast. The implication is clear that now they are "really married."
An earlier reviewer quoted some favorite lines--I'll add another one.
"Dude, it was so much easier when you dated non-relatives."

I liked this movie because it gave a "bird's-eye" view of culture. Few fiction writers give insight into the culture and delves into relationships of the Orthodox Jewish faith, except for the movie "A Stranger Among Us" and Faye Kellerman's fictional characters, Rina Lazurus and Peter Decker. It is rare that storylines deal with the culture (woman with shaved hair, "sheitel" headcovering) This movie mildly mentions a few areas which aroused curiosity as to the reason behind some of the customs. The movie is refreshing, not long, but has a balanced amount of romance and thought-provoking concepts and culture that makes it pleasantly worthwhile viewing. It is a well-done Hallmark movie.

I missed the very beginning of this movie when it was on TV but what I saw, I loved and got the DVD when it was released in April of this year. I watched it again with my parents and they enjoyed it also. It kind of reminds me of "Crossing Delancy", the movie with Amy Irving in it that was released in the late 1980's. Like that movie, the characters are likable and you begin to really care for them. I say get this movie, it's one that I know I'll be watching again and again over the years.

Great little movie. Albeit TV. Albeit Hallmark. The central concept of
the levirate marriage works well with the gentle pairing of two
opposites. After that you root for Leah. It mightn't be sociologically
or even logically kosher but neither is it masquerading as rocket
science. Entertainment makes its own rules. Some fine performances -
especially the wonderful Lauren Ambrose. Guaranteed uplift on a rainy
Tuesday afternoon.

My husband and I love this movie. When I fiest heard about this Hallmark TV movie my husband said that he would record it for me, but he would not watch it. So, I watched it when he was out of the house. However, when he came home I was watching the end of it and he started to watch it. He got interested in it. After dinner on that day I watched it again with him. He loved it, too. Since then I decided to purchase it. we shared it this weekend with our grown son who laughted much. It is funny and has a good message. It is a jewel of a movie. I wish that there was more movies like this one.

Loving Leah is one of my favorite Hallmark Movies. It addresses a different aspect of the Jewish Religion with tenderness and love. My husband loved it also. VERY worth watching.

I really have to say that this is the best hallmark movie to date. The movie tells the story of a Jewish woman who loses her husband in death and according to the law has to marry the brother of her husband. They decide to go thru with it even though the brother is not a practicing Jew. I thought the movie was really well made. Very sweet and you cant help falling in love right along with the characters. If you are looking for a cute romantic clean movie, check this one out!

I have enjoyed this movie so much, I've watched it about a dozen times.

Best line: "She will make my life a living h*ll. She can do that. She's a professional!"

Second best line: "A mother is only as happy as her saddest child."

Eva Marie Everson
Author, Reflections of God's Holy Land: A Personal Journey Through Israel
Things Left Unspoken: A Novel

I love this movie. There are so few movies out today that you can actually watch with your family. I recorded Loving Leah on my dvd recorder and have watched it at least five times since I first saw it. I am waiting for this movie to be availble on dvd. I was told it will be in Hallmark stores soon. Don't miss it.