This is certainly no action movie, and it’s more an exploration of a situation than a plot. Menashe is a widower, and as a result his son is taken from his custody and raised in his brother-in-law’s house in a ‘proper’ family. He works as a poorly paid grocery clerk, and is looked down upon by the other men of the community. The best way to think of the film is more as a documentary than narrative, and it certainly gives a fascinating look into a Hasidic community within a modern city. The main character is actually acted by the real-life man on whose story the film is based, and it’s a bit like watching a reality program as it does not feel acted at all. It’s completely in Yiddish with subtitles.
My rating: 3 stars out of 5
The Resident Judge of Port Phillip 
I saw this at the Nova in Carlton! (I think that’s right – opposite readings) When we were in Melbourne in early-ish Feb. It wasn’t quite what I expected. Darker I think. And you’re right, it has a bit of a documentary feel. It was interesting given that its setting is contemporary New York just how patriarchal this community still is. The rabbi was lovely at the memorial dinner!!