The story itself is compelling. It is based on Deborah Feldman's memoir regarding her departure from a particularly strict and insular Ultra-Orthodox Jewish community in Brooklyn, NY. Ms. Feldman's character in the miniseries is named "Esty," a 19 year old woman played by actress Shira Haas. Esty is pregnant, in an unhappy marriage, and secretly leaves the community to head to Berlin, where her mother (who also left the community) lives. Esty, who has an interest in music, befriends some music students while in Berlin.
The plot revolves around Esty's struggles to adjust to the outside world, her interactions with the music students, and to her attempt to elude her husband, who travels to Berlin to bring Esty back. According to the "Making of..." episode, Ms. Feldman explained that the interactions with the music students never really happened. No surprise there; Esty's scenes with the music students were the only real flaw in the plot. At times the group seemed a bit contrived (multi racial?, check. Gay students?, check. Handsome potential romantic interest?, check).
Rising star Shira Haas shines. She attacks this role with extraordinary emotional intensity. She can't be more than 5' tall and can't weigh more than 100 lbs., but she has a formidable screen presence. You feel her pain and anxiety with every breath and facial expression. You can't take your eyes off of her. We will be seeing more of her.
The plot revolves around Esty's struggles to adjust to the outside world, her interactions with the music students, and to her attempt to elude her husband, who travels to Berlin to bring Esty back. According to the "Making of..." episode, Ms. Feldman explained that the interactions with the music students never really happened. No surprise there; Esty's scenes with the music students were the only real flaw in the plot. At times the group seemed a bit contrived (multi racial?, check. Gay students?, check. Handsome potential romantic interest?, check).
Rising star Shira Haas shines. She attacks this role with extraordinary emotional intensity. She can't be more than 5' tall and can't weigh more than 100 lbs., but she has a formidable screen presence. You feel her pain and anxiety with every breath and facial expression. You can't take your eyes off of her. We will be seeing more of her.