Watch Wedding Doll

Wedding Doll is a powerful, emotional drama from Israel, released in 2015. The film is the debut feature from writer-director Nitzan Gilady, and tells the story of Hagit (Moran Rosenblatt), a young woman with a mild intellectual disability who works in a toilet paper factory and dreams of independence and a more fulfilling life. Despite being looked down upon by her colleagues and the people in her small town, Hagit is determined to find love and start a family, and she spends her free time making dolls representing the perfect wedding she has always dreamed of. Meanwhile, her mother, Sara (Assi Levy), worries about her daughter's future and tries to control every aspect of her life, determined to keep her safe and close at hand.

When Hagit meets Omri (Roy Assaf), the son of the factory owner, she sees a chance to break out of her routine and experience a new kind of love. Omri is kind and caring, and seems to see past Hagit's disability to the person she truly is, but their relationship is complicated by social and financial barriers, as well as the disapproval of Sara and others in the community.

As the story unfolds, we see the struggles and triumphs of Hagit as she tries to forge a path for herself, navigating the complexities of love, family, and societal expectations. Through her dolls and her imagination, she creates a world of possibility and hope, showing us the power of imagination and creativity in the face of adversity.

The performances in Wedding Doll are outstanding, particularly from Moran Rosenblatt as Hagit, who brings a depth and subtlety to her role that is both heart-wrenching and inspiring. She captures the vulnerability and strength of her character with grace and nuance, making us care deeply about her fate and rooting for her to overcome the obstacles in her way.

Assi Levy is equally impressive as Sara, conveying the conflicting emotions of a mother who wants the best for her child but struggles to let go of her control. Roy Assaf does a fine job as Omri, bringing a gentle charm to his character and contrasting nicely with the harsh realities of the world around him.

The cinematography by Oded Ashkenazi is also noteworthy, capturing the beauty and isolation of the Israeli landscape and the cramped, claustrophobic setting of the factory and the town. The use of light and shadow, color and texture, adds depth and richness to the story, conveying the mood and tone of each scene in a subtle and poetic way.

Overall, Wedding Doll is a deeply moving and thought-provoking film, exploring themes of disability, identity, love, and family in a way that is both honest and compassionate. It is a tribute to the human spirit, showing us how even the most modest dreams can inspire hope and meaning, and how even the most broken of hearts can find a way to heal.

Wedding Doll is a 2016 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 22 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.5 and a MetaScore of 66.