331 reviews
As Deborah Feldman said in the Making of Unorthodox, the languages spoken may be foreign to some, but the happenings within the story line are universally understood.
Completely underrated.
Completely underrated.
- jacklynebetty
- Mar 25, 2020
- Permalink
The subject may not attract everybody, but the story is actually universal. The struggle of the main character can be applied to every religious or closed society, actually it applies to every community. The series are well done and fast paced, it kept me focused for almost four hours. Thought provoking and emotional at the same time. The main actress is just superb. Highly recommended.
- Jonad-2026
- Apr 6, 2020
- Permalink
The deeply moving true story of Esty, a young woman who never felt like she fit in with her extremely structured Jewish Orthodox community in New York City. Viewed as an "orphan" by her immediate family, Esty is very close with her maternal Grandmother, who seems to be her only true friend after being abandoned by her birth mother, who "shamed" the family by marrying outside of her faith.
The story begins at different points, swinging back and forth from the recent past, where a "Matchmaker" arranged for Esty's marriage to the similarly awkward son of a jeweler, to the present, where Esty flees to Berlin, Germany with virtually only the clothes on her body. For the first time, Esty experiences a world of progress', progressive ideas, and progressive ways of life. A group of young musicians enter Esty's life and change everything. - Will an abandoned husband and the angry extended family accept Esty's "unorthodox" life choices? Not without a fight!
As a native to Berlin, this story is deeply touching my heart. I see in Esty's story elements of my own family history, and the history of this world. It gives me hope that we will do more than "never forget", but continue to grow as decent human beings, to get ever closer to the potentials of humanity, living peacefully to enjoy the one life we have, and to contribute to the joy of others. There is so much more that unites us than sets us apart. As a television drama series, "Unorthodox" is among the finest I've been privileged to see.
The story begins at different points, swinging back and forth from the recent past, where a "Matchmaker" arranged for Esty's marriage to the similarly awkward son of a jeweler, to the present, where Esty flees to Berlin, Germany with virtually only the clothes on her body. For the first time, Esty experiences a world of progress', progressive ideas, and progressive ways of life. A group of young musicians enter Esty's life and change everything. - Will an abandoned husband and the angry extended family accept Esty's "unorthodox" life choices? Not without a fight!
As a native to Berlin, this story is deeply touching my heart. I see in Esty's story elements of my own family history, and the history of this world. It gives me hope that we will do more than "never forget", but continue to grow as decent human beings, to get ever closer to the potentials of humanity, living peacefully to enjoy the one life we have, and to contribute to the joy of others. There is so much more that unites us than sets us apart. As a television drama series, "Unorthodox" is among the finest I've been privileged to see.
- thursdaysrecords
- Mar 25, 2020
- Permalink
I cried a little while I reflected a lot. Beautifully told story. Wonderfully acted. Etsy's journey was relatable not because she was Jewish but because she was a young woman on a journey to womanhood, independence, Self-efficacy
This little gem packs such a punch, it really is a little masterclass. I found myself rooting for certain outcomes with the introduction of every character. The cast is so well put together it is hard not to be engrossed in this world, a world that the producers have presented with such an authentic feel. I was hooked and found it very hard to take a break; I watched the 4 episodes in 2 sittings. Several emotional scenes are played out so well and effortlessly you forget you are watching netflix.
A stunning must see.
A stunning must see.
- sjgarson-73183
- Mar 27, 2020
- Permalink
- seyyiderten
- Apr 9, 2020
- Permalink
- meretseger-82803
- Apr 10, 2020
- Permalink
This is a very well made movie, breaking through the fiberglass batting insulation of the Hasidic community in Brooklyn, to help us understand the feeling we get when we walk through .
For the month I was there , not one single person of that particular costumed community said as much as a "good day" to me or even made eye contact. I felt like I was in (and in FACT I was in ) a foreign country.
I walked for miles and miles almost every day trying to understand what was giving me this feeling of being a complete alien... I've never been in a community like it in my life before.
It slowly dawned on me that this was the way the culture operates, outsiders are outsiders and there's no way they'll be allowed in.
As I got to the peripheries , close to Prospect Park, the oppressive weight started to lift as the Latino and Italian neighbourhoods smiled back at me and straightened me up.
How can two cultures be so different when they are so close together?
The story told in this series, about a young girl trying to escape the strictures of an arranged marriage, sounds as though it could apply to any of the young Jewish girls I saw pushing strollers with two or three kids hanging on to their apron strings.
It's hard not to be taken aback at the depth of control and the level of obedience imposed on both the men and the women of this sect but it obviously works for most of them, as the community seems to thrive.(Just look at the Amish Community if you want a reference point)
The acting is just superb and the director manages to evoke sympathy for the naive husband who, in a way, is trapped in the same unhappiness. The girl who plays the lead (Esty) is a wonderful actress who is able to go from beautiful young bride to-be, to a dowdy potential baby factory and back to a free young woman again and she does it convincingly.
The rest of the cast draws us in to the culture in a way that could never happen in real life but in the end you're no closer to understanding why it continues to be so different.
I really enjoyed the story and the portrayals, it has a bittersweet ending and I felt better for having watched it.
For the month I was there , not one single person of that particular costumed community said as much as a "good day" to me or even made eye contact. I felt like I was in (and in FACT I was in ) a foreign country.
I walked for miles and miles almost every day trying to understand what was giving me this feeling of being a complete alien... I've never been in a community like it in my life before.
It slowly dawned on me that this was the way the culture operates, outsiders are outsiders and there's no way they'll be allowed in.
As I got to the peripheries , close to Prospect Park, the oppressive weight started to lift as the Latino and Italian neighbourhoods smiled back at me and straightened me up.
How can two cultures be so different when they are so close together?
The story told in this series, about a young girl trying to escape the strictures of an arranged marriage, sounds as though it could apply to any of the young Jewish girls I saw pushing strollers with two or three kids hanging on to their apron strings.
It's hard not to be taken aback at the depth of control and the level of obedience imposed on both the men and the women of this sect but it obviously works for most of them, as the community seems to thrive.(Just look at the Amish Community if you want a reference point)
The acting is just superb and the director manages to evoke sympathy for the naive husband who, in a way, is trapped in the same unhappiness. The girl who plays the lead (Esty) is a wonderful actress who is able to go from beautiful young bride to-be, to a dowdy potential baby factory and back to a free young woman again and she does it convincingly.
The rest of the cast draws us in to the culture in a way that could never happen in real life but in the end you're no closer to understanding why it continues to be so different.
I really enjoyed the story and the portrayals, it has a bittersweet ending and I felt better for having watched it.
On the whole I enjoyed Unorthodox. The story of a young woman who doesn't fit in to an orthodox Hasidic community in New York, and has to escape, is powerful, and all production values are high-class. The acting is uniformly excellent. So why did some of it seem not as compelling as other parts? The depiction of the community in New York is just superb. To an outsider it seems completely authentic. Everything rings true. Magnificent. But the sections of this four-part series set in the Berlin she escapes to seem far less real and believable. Why? I think the answer comes in the 'making of' section which you can watch after the final episode. It appears that they were mostly dreamed up by another mind, presumably at netflix' instigation. Once you know that, the difference between the stunning realism and power of the original story and the so-so Berlin sub-plots is completely explained. If I were the author I would have been grimacing through half of the Berlin scenes... but of course, being netflix, I'd have been grimacing all the way to the bank. I now want to read the original.
- pforrest-2
- Apr 9, 2020
- Permalink
You know when something is really special when you think about it a lot afterwards. The acting, cinematography and costume were nothing short of incredible. Such an eye opener and breathtaking. Definitely watch the 'making of' follow up. This will win awards.
- SofiCastle
- Apr 15, 2020
- Permalink
A true memoir of a real life community who's secrets are hidden to the public. The story is beautifully told, cinematic, dramatic and sometimes intense.
Just what I needed!
A young woman, trapped by the culture of orthodox religion escapes to start a fresh life, build new friendships, learn. Pursued by those that won't let go, she exercises the power to be herself come what may.
An inspiring piece of film making and a standout performance by Shira Haas. Hopefully goes some way to enlightening and empowering those in similar positions, demonstrating that there is a way to independence and self fulfilment, while educating a wider audience to the challenges faced by some, in the presence of traditions dating back to the pharaohs - overwhelmingly traditions used by men to control women.
An inspiring piece of film making and a standout performance by Shira Haas. Hopefully goes some way to enlightening and empowering those in similar positions, demonstrating that there is a way to independence and self fulfilment, while educating a wider audience to the challenges faced by some, in the presence of traditions dating back to the pharaohs - overwhelmingly traditions used by men to control women.
This movie is a must watch, it shows how far we have come, how far we can go. I binge watched but there were times that I just had to pause and get air for sometime coz it's intense and it's surreal despite being so rooted in reality. Every single cast member were complex and had an arch, it was amazing really. I'm glad they y didn't dumb it down for us (outsiders of the community). Me pausing the show, to find out meanings of words and rituals didn't spoil my experience of the show but enriched it.
There were moments I recoiled, moments I sympathized, moments I cried, but in the end I was touched by beautiful cinematic experience.
- shangeetharajoo
- Apr 4, 2020
- Permalink
Unorthodox is literally spellbinding. When I started the first episode, I had to watch them all, on the spot. I couldn't tear myself away. That never happens. Shira Haas plays Esty, and she is simply amazing. This story sheds light on the mysterious orthodox Jewish tribes or communities in what must be quite a realistic manner. It's fascinating, but viewers quickly identify with Esty's feelings of being smothered and of not belonging. One thing the film did so very well was bringing the viewer to see what it was like for Esty to experience so many things we take for granted, for the first time, and how those experiences captivate her and make us feel quite lucky to have access to them without a second thought. At the same time, I felt for the community, her tribe... they are different, but that's life. The only thing they are guilty of is making it too difficult for those wishing to leave. I haven't read the book the film is based on but I will now.
- zippytango
- Mar 28, 2020
- Permalink
- gallagherkellie
- Apr 23, 2020
- Permalink
Never having been a very religious person, this show simply confirms my belief that strict religion is the the most damaging feature of life. The roles are well performed and the production quality is high. The suppression of women in this religion is depicted unrelentingly.
- rchrdcorteel1
- Mar 19, 2022
- Permalink
Overall I really liked the show, it was interesting to gain a little insight in a world that I'm not familiar with. The acting was really good. But it went down the drain when the story moved to Berlin. The writer changed the story so much that it became a gimmick. Meeting a group of divers people, immediately becoming your best friends, 5 seconds after you get off the plane, is just ridiculous. Especially in contrast to the start of the movie, where the story still felt true. It's a shame, could have been a lot better if they didn't try to add their own spin on the story. Still worth the watch
I was born and raised in the Jewish faith...not orthodox or Hasidic but have friends who are. I was deeply moved by this film. This movie is a beautiful reflection of a community and the struggle for individuality. I think they did a great job of not disrespecting the Hasidic community while also telling an honest story representing female empowerment. Regardless of a person's spiritual beliefs, this story is universal about finding yourself and your own voice.
- gamzeoyunc87
- Jun 2, 2020
- Permalink
I watched the series and it was ok I would have given it an 8 but then I read the actual book and I have to lower the rating to 5 or even less. I would never undertand why they couldn't make the series true to the book. The book is real and excelent. The story is good enough. Biggest difference is the travel to Germany, it did not make much sense to me in the series but ok. But this is nowhere in the book. Why did they have to add it? Adding action and suspense to the original story just spoils it unnecessarily.
The "bad" jew accompanying the offended husband and then finding a gun in germany to threaten the running away bride is just stupid. Normal people don't do that. Why would anyone risk years of prison carrying a gun in a country with such strick gun control laws. Making the hasidic look as bad boys is just silly.
Some of the best series I have seen are true to the books they are based on or with minimum changes. This is not the case here but I do recommend reading the book.
The "bad" jew accompanying the offended husband and then finding a gun in germany to threaten the running away bride is just stupid. Normal people don't do that. Why would anyone risk years of prison carrying a gun in a country with such strick gun control laws. Making the hasidic look as bad boys is just silly.
Some of the best series I have seen are true to the books they are based on or with minimum changes. This is not the case here but I do recommend reading the book.
- oscar-montanez
- Jun 6, 2020
- Permalink
This was such an interesting series, it sent me down a YouTube rabbit hole the rest of my day: watching interviews, researching the source material, seeing reactions and following rabbit trails, in general. This series is inspired by a autobiographical book of the same title by Deborah Feldman. That is to say, that the story in New York was pretty close to her story but the part about Berlin was fictionalized. This is not a commentary on Ultra Orthodox Hasidic Judaism but is the story of one person's experience leaving such a community. It deserves all the award attention it got (Emmy, BAFTA, Critics Choice, etc). The writing is tight. The story feels authentic. The story is told with compassion. Shira Haas breaks your heart and then makes you stand up and cheer. I highly recommend this curated journey to another reality. It will broaden your world view and exercise your humanity. I give this film a 10 (compelling) out of 10. {Drama}
- nancyldraper
- Feb 27, 2022
- Permalink
Gonna tell you shortly my story. I quit from my hyper-protective family that never treated me well, never supported me in my desires and dreams. I keep in touch, but I am far from them both physically and mentally. I quit from Orthodox Christianity as well, because that's not how I view the world.
The story of independent acquisition of freedom. That's why this movie is so relatable for ao many people that changed their own lives dramatically. Of course, Esty's story is extreme, but it represents all the feelings you get when you break free from the past into free present and bright future. I feel seen. 10/10.
The story of independent acquisition of freedom. That's why this movie is so relatable for ao many people that changed their own lives dramatically. Of course, Esty's story is extreme, but it represents all the feelings you get when you break free from the past into free present and bright future. I feel seen. 10/10.
- mishynaofficial
- Dec 31, 2022
- Permalink