Watch Late Marriage

Late Marriage is a critically acclaimed drama film directed by Dover Kosashvili and released in 2001. The film was a hit in international film festivals, winning several prestigious awards and nominations. The story revolves around Zaza, a 31-year-old bachelor who is constantly reminded by his Georgian family that he should be settling down and starting a family. His parents, who are traditional Georgians, strongly believe in arranged marriages and constantly try to set him up with suitable women.

However, Zaza is not interested in marrying a woman just because his family wants him to. He falls in love with Judith, an attractive 34-year-old divorcee who has a daughter from her previous marriage. However, their relationship sparks controversy in Zaza's family, who do not approve of the relationship because Judith is divorced and does not come from a Georgian family.

Zaza's father, Yasha, sets out to convince his son to choose a 'suitable' bride and arranges a meeting with a young girl named Ilana. Zaza reluctantly agrees to meet Ilana, but their meeting does not go as planned, as he finds himself unable to connect with her.

Meanwhile, Judith patiently waits for Zaza to convince his family to accept their relationship. She urges Zaza to stand up to his family, telling him that their love is worth fighting for.

As the story unfolds, Zaza struggles to reconcile his love for Judith with his family's expectations. The tension between Zaza and his family reaches a boiling point, and he must decide whether to choose his family's happiness or his own.

One of the notable strengths of Late Marriage is its strong performances. Lior Ashkenazi delivers a nuanced portrayal of Zaza, a man torn between love and tradition. Ronit Elkabetz is equally impressive as Judith, a woman who refuses to be defined by her past mistakes. Moni Moshonov also shines as Yasha, a father struggling to accept his son's choices.

The film's cinematography is also noteworthy. The camera work is intimate and unobtrusive, allowing the actors' performances to take center stage. The film's subtle use of music and sound also adds to its emotional impact.

Late Marriage is a poignant portrayal of the struggle between tradition and modernity. The film explores themes such as love, family, and cultural identity in a moving and thought-provoking manner. While the film's subject matter is serious, there are moments of humor and warmth that prevent the film from becoming too heavy-handed.

In conclusion, Late Marriage is a masterpiece of world cinema. The film's strong performances, excellent cinematography, and powerful storytelling combine to create a film that is both emotionally affecting and intellectually stimulating. Despite its relatively unknown status, the film is a must-watch for fans of international cinema.

Late Marriage is a 2001 comedy with a runtime of 1 hour and 42 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.1 and a MetaScore of 82.