Found this only recently but it seems that its time has come. This movie can be seen as just a simple story of propinquity leading to love or a tale of Jewish customs, but it is far more. It is an subtle indicator of what we have given up in terms of community and family. Not Jewish in any form but the characters are believable in their doubts and love. I will leave it to to the observant to judge what is textually correct but no one should doubt their reaction to the characters. I wanted the movie to be far longer but that is the Hallmark tradition. Miracle it was as well produced/directed/acted as it was. All props to Lauren Ambrose who plays Leah so well. Loving Leah is a necessary reminder of the human miracle.

First, I would like to thank Hallmark for putting on this movie because in doing so they took a chance that people could actually relate..and not be afraid to throw in a story with a religious element..the old adage is never talk about politics or religion. While it is true that we delve into some fundamental issues of the Jewish faith, this is first and foremost a story of friendship offered and love found. One review called this a romantic comedy..others found faults here and there but there will always be those that look for some shortcomings. I see this as a tender story of two people discovering that they have much to offer each other after Jake's brother dies leaving a widow. She has her ways steeped in tradition and Jake has his ways..not being home much and a girlfriend and working long hours at the hospital..did I mention that his girlfriend initially encouraged Jake (Adam Kaufman) to befriend the young widow (Lauren Ambrose)?After all, she's family. The first days and weeks thrown together as "roommates" are played in such a realistic and touching way, you are drawn into "their" story..and it is theirs and the memory of his dead brother..and mothers wanting what's right for their kids..this is a sweet, innocent and tender. Telling of simple love..there's no comedy here..but the facial expressions and the eyes say this is really some fine acting..I waited for this to come on and was not disappointed. And neither will you.It's that good.

I was a religious Jew once or I pretended to be, and I did crazy things like Leah do in the film. That's perhaps the reason why I identify with the movie a lot. I love the way how tradition and religion is illustrated and introduced to people unaware of Judaism. I definitely believe the writer went through a very profound research to gather the story well. Yibbum and Halitzah is mentioned in the Torah (Deuteronomy 25:5-10) and truly is no longer practiced, but the Halitzah ceremony until now exist; Like the Pidyon haben (redemption of the first born son) and many other symbolic ceremonies that are part of the Jewish culture, religion and tradition. I am glad the movie is around for all of the reason above, I loved it so much that I expended one week every night watching it.

Some religious customs are an enigma to most of us, not having been exposed to them, as is the case at the center of this story. Jake Lever's brother, having come from the same secular background as he, turned into a strict Orthodox Jew and married the young Leah, a religious young woman living in Williamsburg, Brooklyn. Jake, an intern at a Washington hospital, sees his brother in a dream, so vividly that when he is told he has died suddenly, it shakes him completely.Jake is seeing Carol, also an intern. Little prepares Jake for what his life will turn into when he is told of an ancient Orthodox custom where the young widow must marry her husband's single brother, or else, her brother-in-law must renounce to that claim by doing something that feels repugnant to him. As a result, Jake and Leah, are married. That is when things start getting complicated for both of them.Jake and Leah agree on a convenient arrangement that suits each other. Leah will try to pursue an education that was cut short when she married for the first time. Carol, on the other hand, feels as though Jake is not being honest with her. Eventually they break their relationship. It takes no time before Jake realizes he has been falling in love with Leah, but didn't want to admit it.Jeff Bleckner directed this television presentation, written by Pnenah Goldstein for a Hallmark type movie. It is a romantic comedy that combines elements that have been used in other films of this genre. Our only interest in watching was Lauren Ambrose, one of our best, and more versatile actresses working in movies and television these days. She is wonderful as Leah because of her take on the young woman who is taken out of her world reluctantly. Mercedes Ruehl, also in the cast, has nothing to play. Adam Kaufman appears as Jake, the man who falls in love with someone against his better judgment. Susie Essman, a successful comedienne in her own right, is seen as Leah's mother.