Norman Loves Rose

This could have been a great, meaningful film. Set in Australia, a bored, unsatisfied wife of a clod dentist can't help but be seduced by her 13 year-old brother in law. The characters are all Jewish, so this is a marvelous premise somewhat based on Jewish law that if a woman is widowed she must marry her husband's brother. Carol Kane plays the wife and gives one of her very best performances as the unfulfilled wife. She desperately wants a child, and her hubby can't deliver...so his kid brother does. There are genuine moments that explore the beautiful relationship between the randy youngster and his older sister in law, but all too often the film just seems to run out of energy. It's almost as if the filmmakers can't decide if this should be played straight, as a light comedy, or a total farce. The romance and sexual attraction between the two lead characters is largely convincing, which is more due to their on screen chemistry than the direction. It is a shame that this picture ended up somewhat off track as the script and lead performers are mostly excellent.