Unorthodox

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.

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.

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.

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.