To Take a Wife

Mostly impressive account of a loveless marriage with Ronit Elkbaetz (familiar from both ‘Late Marriage’ and ‘Or’) pulling out the stops as a hairdressing mother of four tired of her traditionalist husband and live-in mother-in-law. He’s not a bad man – indeed, her family mostly reckon him a good catch – but his difficult moods and the unexpected return to Haifa of her old flame make her reconsider her future. It sometimes slips into melodrama, but it is at least honest enough to present a balanced picture, and is sharp on how kids can be turned into weapons in marital battles.