A fine ‘Disobedience’ explores faith, sexuality

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Bitterness and discomfort all around. Ronit further upsets everyone during a dinner table argument about marriage. But that’s nothing, compared with the upset about sexual preference.

“I had to sleep with a man,” Esti confides to Ronit, “— so why not our best friend?”

With sudden proximity, their passions reignite. The boundaries of faith and sexuality will be explored — along with the effects of scandal and infidelity, obedience and defiance — when the women are inevitably seen together, caught and fraught with the shame of discovery.

Based on a semiautobiographical novel by Naomi Alderman, the story is in good hands with Mr. Lelio, a leading light in the new wave of South American directors. He won the 2017 best foreign film Oscar for “A Fantastic Woman,” a potent tale of transgender grief. Also much acclaimed was “Gloria” (2013), his mesmerizing character study of an aging, lonely divorcee.

This is his first film in English, atmospherically shot in the claustrophobic neighborhoods of Hendon and Cricklewood — London’s Squirrel Hill, of sorts. “Let’s just go somewhere else,” one woman begs the other. They can only be alone, ironically, in the crowded Underground.

This is a riveting lesbianthespian duel of the Rachels: Ms. Weisz is smoldering, Ms. McAdams fragile and frightened. The complexities of two very different characters make for complementary chemistry in their magnetic game of attraction and repulsion. It’s in the play of their eyes more than their words, and in the dissimilar sadness on their faces.

Expect one very passionate, steamy love scene — with post-orgasmic rumination and illumination on a subject as troubling to traditional Judaism as to Christianity and Islam: not so much homosexuality as sexuality itself.

Also expect some tremendously beautiful music, including “Im Eshkakhekh” (If I Forget You Jerusalem) and “Keil Molei Rakhamim” for male voices, in the memorial services.

This fine “Disobedience,” opening today at the Manor Theater only, is unorthodox, in more ways than one, yet eminently reverent: “May you live a long life.” You are free to choose it — however agonizing your freedom, however enslaving or liberating your choice.