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Loving Leah

  • TV Movie
  • 2009
  • TV-PG
  • 1h 35m
IMDb RATING
7.1/10
3.9K
YOUR RATING
Lauren Ambrose and Adam Kaufman in Loving Leah (2009)
Official Trailer
Play trailer0:33
1 Video
19 Photos
DramaRomance

A quirky love story revolving around the unexpected wedding and unconventional married life of a 26-year-old widow and her late husband's brother, a handsome 30-year-old cardiologist.A quirky love story revolving around the unexpected wedding and unconventional married life of a 26-year-old widow and her late husband's brother, a handsome 30-year-old cardiologist.A quirky love story revolving around the unexpected wedding and unconventional married life of a 26-year-old widow and her late husband's brother, a handsome 30-year-old cardiologist.

  • Director
    • Jeff Bleckner
  • Writer
    • Pnenah Goldstein
  • Stars
    • Lauren Ambrose
    • Adam Kaufman
    • Susie Essman
  • See production info at IMDbPro
  • IMDb RATING
    7.1/10
    3.9K
    YOUR RATING
    • Director
      • Jeff Bleckner
    • Writer
      • Pnenah Goldstein
    • Stars
      • Lauren Ambrose
      • Adam Kaufman
      • Susie Essman
    • 35User reviews
    • 3Critic reviews
  • See production info at IMDbPro
    • Nominated for 1 Primetime Emmy
      • 5 nominations total

    Videos1

    Loving Leah
    Trailer 0:33
    Loving Leah

    Photos19

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    Top cast47

    Edit
    Lauren Ambrose
    Lauren Ambrose
    • Leah Lever
    Adam Kaufman
    Adam Kaufman
    • Jake Lever
    Susie Essman
    Susie Essman
    • Malka
    Harris Yulin
    Harris Yulin
    • Rabbi Belsky
    Natasha Lyonne
    Natasha Lyonne
    • Esther
    Christy Pusz
    • Carol
    Ricki Lake
    Ricki Lake
    • Rabbi Gerry
    Mercedes Ruehl
    Mercedes Ruehl
    • Janice Lever
    Tonye Patano
    Tonye Patano
    • Emily
    Donnie Keshawarz
    Donnie Keshawarz
    • Raj
    Sylvia Kauders
    Sylvia Kauders
    • Widow Goldfarb
    Jayne Houdyshell
    Jayne Houdyshell
    • Mrs. Finkelman
    David Rossmer
    David Rossmer
    • Rabbi Benjamin Lever
    Tibor Feldman
    Tibor Feldman
    • Dr. Saloway
    Jolly Abraham
    Jolly Abraham
    • Priya
    Jonathan C. Kaplan
    • Feldman
    Zachary Knower
    Zachary Knower
    • Carmie
    Matt Walton
    Matt Walton
    • Carter
    • Director
      • Jeff Bleckner
    • Writer
      • Pnenah Goldstein
    • All cast & crew
    • Production, box office & more at IMDbPro

    User reviews35

    7.13.8K
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    Featured reviews

    8Tantrum1701

    Unexpected. Worth the time.

    I have been pleasantly surprised by this movie. The level of acting was verry good, the story was excellent and I liked it very much.

    How do you explain a religious tradition? This movie succeeded in bringing non-Jewish viewers in contact with a specific tradition from the Jewish religion.

    The characters were portrayed very well by the cast.

    Most movies for me are just to pass the time, this, however, made me pay attention. I chose it as a romantic movie, but it was so much more.

    I hope there are more of these movies to follow. And I learned to look beyond the cast. That was an eyeopener for me.
    10michaelyisrael

    Loving Leah

    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.
    10toncincin

    Sweet movie

    Just watched it again - probably for the sixth time. It is such a sweet movie. All of the actors did a wonderful job. Lauren Ambrose is so believable in this role. She show true raw emotion. It's one I will watch over and over - and never get tired of it.
    10Xjayhawker

    Sometimes it's no one's fault when life takes a left turn.

    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.
    8bneale-79809

    Fresh sheets for mom?

    Leah left her nightgown under the pillow when her mother visited. She didn't change the sheets for her mother? 😊

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    Storyline

    Edit

    Did you know

    Edit
    • Trivia
      After the funeral, Leah and Jake both have ripped clothes on their right shoulder. The tearing of one's clothes is a common practice in Judaism when someone has passed away. It's a sign of mourning and part of a whole practice of rituals a family member, spouse or parent observes for any where from 30 days to 11 months after the person has died.
    • Goofs
      Georgetown is in Washington, D.C., not a separate city.
    • Quotes

      Rabbi Belsky: In the days and weeks to come, when we think of Rabbi Lever, we may be compelled to ask God 'Why?" Why would a man so full of life in his prime be taken from his wife and his family? We come into this world with a purpose. And because death is so much a part of life, we come to see Benjamin's departure as a lesson which we must take as a gift. And in time, it will become apparent what his gift is to each of us.

    • Connections
      Edited into Hallmark Hall of Fame (1951)
    • Soundtracks
      Everything
      Written by Michael Bublé, Amy Foster-Gillies, and Alan Chang

      Performed by Michael Bublé

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    Details

    Edit
    • Release date
      • January 25, 2009 (United States)
    • Country of origin
      • United States
    • Official site
      • CBS
    • Language
      • English
    • Also known as
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame: Loving Leah episode #58.2
    • Filming locations
      • New York City, New York, USA
    • Production company
      • Hallmark Hall of Fame Productions
    • See more company credits at IMDbPro

    Tech specs

    Edit
    • Runtime
      1 hour 35 minutes
    • Color
      • Color
    • Sound mix
      • Stereo

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