Honestly, if you haven’t seen the film Gett: The Trial of Viviane Amsalem, you’re missing out on one of the most frustrating, claustrophobic, and brilliant pieces of cinema ever made. It’s not just a "courtroom drama." It’s basically a five-year-long hostage situation where the kidnapper is a husband and the prison is a tiny, white-walled room.
I recently re-watched it and, man, it still gets under your skin. The story is simple on paper. Viviane Amsalem, played by the late, legendary Ronit Elkabetz, wants a divorce. Her husband, Elisha, says no. That’s it. In a "normal" legal system, you’d think, "Okay, they’ve lived apart for years, it’s over." But in Israel, there is no civil divorce. You’re at the mercy of the Rabbinical Court. And under Halakha (Jewish law), a marriage only ends if the husband hands over a gett—a physical document—of his own free will.
If he won't give it? You’re "chained." You’re an agunah. You can't remarry, you can't move on, and any kids you have with someone else are legally branded as "illegitimate" in the eyes of the faith. It’s a mess.
What Most People Get Wrong About the Movie
A lot of folks go into this thinking it’s a true story about one specific woman. It's kinda not, but also it totally is. While the specific case of Viviane and Elisha is fictional, the Elkabetz siblings (Ronit and Shlomi) wrote it as a "spiritual biography" of their own mother. They spent years researching real cases.
People also assume the husband, Elisha, is a monster. He isn't. At least, not in the way we usually see in movies. He doesn't hit her. He provides for the kids. He’s "pious." The rabbis in the film actually keep asking Viviane, "What’s the problem? He’s a good man!" But the horror is in his quiet, stubborn refusal to let go. He uses the law as a leash. He skips hearings for months. He stays silent. He makes her wait three weeks, then six months, then two years.
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By the time the trial hits the five-year mark, you want to scream at the screen.
The Weird Reality of the Rabbinical Court
You’ve got to understand the setting. The entire movie happens in one room. It’s spartan. There’s a desk for the three rabbis, a desk for the lawyers, and chairs for the couple. That’s it. The camera never leaves. It’s intentional—you’re supposed to feel as trapped as Viviane is.
One thing that really bugs people is how the rabbis handle the "Shalom Bayit" (peace in the home) concept. Basically, their "sacred duty" is to keep the marriage together at all costs. They tell Viviane to go home and try again. They treat her like a rebellious child rather than a grown woman with agency.
Why the Law Favors the "No"
- Free Will: The gett must be given of the husband's free will. If the court forces him (like, with jail time), the divorce might be considered "coerced" and therefore invalid. It’s a massive loophole for stubborn husbands.
- Lack of Evidence: In the religious court, "I don't love him" or "We aren't compatible" isn't enough. You need proof of abuse, adultery, or failure to provide.
- Gender Bias: While the court can sanction men (taking away driver's licenses or bank accounts), they are often hesitant to do so if the man appears "decent" or religious.
The Tragedy of the "Chained Woman"
There’s this scene toward the end—no spoilers, I promise—where Viviane finally snaps. She’s been stoic for years. She’s dressed conservatively. She’s followed the rules. But the absurdity finally breaks her. Ronit Elkabetz’s performance here is raw. You see the cost of those five years written on her face.
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The movie actually caused a huge stir in Israel when it came out. It wasn't just a hit; it was a catalyst. It forced the Rabbinical Courts to actually screen the film for their own judges. Think about that for a second. The people who run these trials had to sit down and watch a fictionalized version of their own workplace to understand why everyone was so angry.
Is the Movie 100% Accurate?
Sorta. Some legal experts in Israel argued the film was "too harsh." They pointed out that women can sue in civil courts for things like property and custody. They mentioned that many rabbis do try to help.
But for the women who are actually "chained," the movie felt like a documentary. If you are a woman in a dead-end marriage and your husband decides to be a jerk, the law is on his side. It doesn't matter how "modern" the rest of the country is. In that one specific room, it’s still the Middle Ages.
The Legacy of Ronit Elkabetz
Sadly, this was Ronit’s final film before she passed away from cancer in 2016. She was a powerhouse. She spent a decade making this trilogy—starting with To Take a Wife and 7 Days—all focused on this one character, Viviane.
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She didn't just want to make art; she wanted to change the law. She used her fame to shine a light on the agunot (the chained women). Even today, her name is synonymous with this struggle.
Actionable Insights: What You Can Actually Do
If this story makes you want to flip a table, there are real-world ways to understand or help with the issue of "chained" women.
- Look into Prenuptial Agreements: In modern Jewish communities (especially in the US and parts of Israel), many couples now sign a "Halakhic Prenup." It’s a legal document that basically says if the marriage ends, the husband agrees to pay a daily fine until he gives the gett. It takes away his leverage.
- Support Advocacy Groups: Organizations like The Center for Women’s Justice in Jerusalem or JOFA (Jewish Orthodox Feminist Alliance) work daily to provide legal aid to women stuck in these situations. They use tort law to sue recalcitrant husbands for damages.
- Educate Yourself on the Trilogy: If you've only seen Gett, go back and watch To Take a Wife (2004). It shows the early years of the marriage and why Viviane felt she had to leave in the first place. It adds a whole new layer of sadness to the trial.
The Trial of Viviane Amsalem isn't just a movie about a divorce. It's a movie about what happens when tradition becomes a cage. It’s uncomfortable, it’s long, and it’s deeply unfair—just like the reality it depicts.
Next time you hear someone talking about "religious freedom," remember Viviane. Sometimes one person's religious freedom is another person's prison sentence. It's a complicated, messy reality that doesn't have an easy "Conclusion" or "Ultimately." It's just a fight that’s still going on.