Loving Leah 2009

     Jake Lever is a cardiology surgeon in Washington DC and he’s been accepted into a fellowship program.  He’s lightly napping at the hospital when he sees a vision of his older brother Benjamin.  He’s surprised about the vision because he has been estranged from his brother.  Soon after, he receives the news that his brother Rabbi Benjamin Lever has passed away in Brooklyn, New York.  Jake and his mother Janice attend the funeral and they meet Benjamin’s wife Leah and her family.  Jake learns of the Levirate marriage law stating that he must marry the childless Leah to carry on his brother’s name.  Jake and Leah agree that they will go through the halizah ceremony to release Jake from his obligation.  The ceremony is held at a later date and Jake is asked to reject Benjamin’s existence.  Jake can’t say these words about his brother and they agree to have a marriage in name only.  Leah will move to Georgetown, she has wanted to attend college and she will apply to the University after she takes her SAT test.

     This is the second time I’ve seen this film.  I didn’t remember it at first but after a few scenes the story all came back.  This is interesting and the characters are realistic.  3 ½* (I liked this movie)  

95 min, TV Movie, Drama directed by Jeff Bleckner with Lauren Ambrose, Adam Kaufman, Susie Essman, Harris Yulin, Natasha Lyonne, Christy Pusz, Ricki Lake, Mercedes Ruehl, Tonye Patano, Donnie Keshawarz

Note:  Imdb 7.0 out of 10, 72% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, Amazon 4.8* out of 5* with 225 reviews.

Special Note:  One of the reviews said small scenes were cut from the DVD version that were shown in the televised version.  There was more to the furniture-buying trip and about Leah’s mother liking the pillows they purchased.  The scene of Leah placing the Mezuzah on the doorway of Jakes’ home was edited out too.