Trailerblazing -- Disobedience

Disobedience -- April 27, 2018 -- directed by Sebastián Lelio -- starring Rachel Weisz, Rachel McAdams, Alessandro Nivola, Anton Lesser, Nicholas Woodeson, Cara Horgan

  

Stories about outsiders always offer intriguing power dynamics. Not too many films have been made about outsiders who shake up confines of communities shrouded in religion, though; Witness and A Stranger Among Us are the only ones that come to mind. Infusing this type of tale with an gay relationship -- an idea that most religious communities see as forbidden -- leads us to Disobedience, a film that looks like an original and powerful take on love and romance. I do not recall any cinematic LGBT relationships being woven into this kind of fabric. Exploring sexuality within the often taboo-creating context of religion shines a light on one of the most important aspects of the human condition in a new way and Academy Award winner Lelio is the perfect director to take on the story. The cast is great. Based on the trailer, Weisz and McAdams share incredible, tender chemistry that drives the narrative. Weisz chooses unique and thoughtful projects -- please check out Complete Unknown when you can -- and I am happy that McAdams is getting more dramatic roles after her haunting turn in "True Detective". I am also always thrilled to see the criminally underrated Nivola -- Face/Off and Laurel Canyon could not be more different, just to name two of many examples. Disobedience looks like a film that will make you think, debate and, quite possibly, see more love in the world.