“Late Marriage” (Hatuna Meuheret), 2001, is a film that straddles the line between dark comedy and bleak drama, making “Shtisel” look like a walk in the park. Zaza (Lior Louie Ashkenazi), a 31-year-old bachelor, is the source of his parents’ exasperation. Despite the relentless matchmaking sessions, Zaza remains unwed, much to his family’s dismay.
Kosashvili sets the stage with a scene where Zaza meets a 17-year-old fashionista who couldn’t care less about marriage. The master shots trap them in a domestic purgatory, highlighting the oppressive expectations suffocating Zaza. Their bedroom chat is a perfect mix of mutual disdain, illustrating the absurdity and misery of his situation.
Zaza, however, has a secret. He’s been seeing Judith (Ronit Elkabetz), a divorced single mother who is older (and taller!) than him. His traditional parents would recoil in horror. Zaza plans to marry Judith but lacks the courage to tell his parents. Their relationship is a mix of stolen passion and bitter arguments, depicted with a muted realism that underscores their fragile existence.
The family catches on to Zaza’s secret. When the inevitable confrontation occurs, it’s devoid of the comedic relief seen in films by Woody Allen or Neil Simon. His parents are not lovable nags; they’re irrationally hostile, denouncing Judith as a “whore” and questioning Zaza’s loyalty. The film doesn’t offer a neat resolution. It’s a stark portrayal of a no-win situation where love doesn’t triumph over tradition.
“Late Marriage” isn’t without its flaws. Judith often feels like a male fantasy, detracting from the depth of her character. The cinematography, while aiming for realism, occasionally falls flat, feeling more functional than inspired.
Despite these issues, “Late Marriage” delivers a refreshingly bitter take on the clash between tradition and personal freedom. It’s tense, uncomfortable, and unflinchingly serious, making it a bracing antidote to Hollywood’s saccharine tales of family harmony. Perhaps if Zaza’s family had indulged in a nice drop of MDMA, they would have welcomed the divorcée with open arms. Or, Zaza could have gone to Peru for some ayahuasca to figure out whether he’s truly bound by his clan’s traditions or his own desires.
A potent brew for those craving a film that challenges the fantasy of familial bliss.
Comments