The Women's Balcony (Ismach Hatani)

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

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

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

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

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

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

The film has crafted an essentially benevolent comic universe where everyone is goodhearted - or at least, they are who they are, and there's not much to do about it.

The Women's Balcony is a feel-good, crowd-pleasing comedy that depicts what happens when extremism and traditional values collide.

The Women's Balcony resolves its central conflict a bit too quickly and neatly, but the theme of battle for the soul of a community resonates - at least with many American critics, who have praised the movie's "universal" themes.

The superb ensemble of veteran Israeli actors, singers and comedians gives bravura performances.

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

There are also plenty of sweet moments that emerge from a story about people who, even in conflict, have their hearts in the right place.