Even though some of the religious and traditional aspects of the film may not travel well, its spirit is universal.

| Original Score: 3/5 | Jul 20, 2017

The Women's Balcony overlooks nothing when it comes to addressing faith, segregation and sexism in a peppery, entertaining way.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 14, 2017

Subtly handled by director Emil Ben-Shimon and screenwriter Shlomit Nehama and rendered heartfelt and compelling by an outstanding cast.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jul 6, 2017

In the end, the solution offered by "The Women's Balcony" to end the rancor feels unearned.

| Original Score: 2.5/4 | Jun 15, 2017

It's impossible to resist a film that has such rich characters, and makes a complicated subject both enlightening and entertaining.

| Original Score: 3/4 | Jun 14, 2017

With an eye for artful detail, director Emil Ben-Shimon orchestrates a resolution both plausible and jubilant.

| Jun 13, 2017

Director Emil Ben-Shimon creates a bustling sense of community and injects most scenes with a surprisingly breezy air.

| Original Score: 4/5 | Jun 8, 2017

While the mood is that of a gentle and affectionate comedy, the film makes some extremely sharp points about fanaticism, sexism masked as holiness, and tolerance among the faithful.

| Original Score: 3.5/4 | May 26, 2017

Emil Ben-Shimon's smart direction and Shlomit Nehama's lighthearted and topical script ensure the proceedings not only hit all the right notes, but also entertain while being respectful of religious traditions.

| May 25, 2017

This light and predictable movie, with its overwhelming box office success, still offers tremendous insight into day-to-day Israeli society.

| May 25, 2017

Immensely charming in its depiction of the quiet, gentle humanity of the community and the way their commitment to Judaism is reflected in every aspect of their lives.

| Original Score: B+ | May 19, 2017

Director Ben-Shimon's light touch prevents the film from lapsing either into polemics or overly broad comic shtick.

| Mar 8, 2017

Nehama, who grew up in an Orthodox Jerusalem community like the one in the film, has said her goal was "to tell the story of the moderate people who are forced to deal with growing religious extremism," and "The Women's Balcony" definitely does that.

| Mar 2, 2017

A close-knit congregation fractures along gender lines after a catastrophe at their synagogue in this nicely observed dramedy.

| Oct 26, 2016