Synopsis

Sonia Horowitz, a young mother in Brooklyn's Hasidic community, struggles against the restrictions of her arranged marriage and religious surroundings. When her jeweler brother-in-law offers her work, she discovers independence, sexual desire, and a passion for jewelry. Her growing connection with a Puerto Rican designer brings further conflict, forcing Sonia to choose between family expectations and the freedom to pursue her own identity.

Factoids & Trivia

• The title comes from the biblical Book of Proverbs, specifically the "Woman of Valor" passage traditionally sung before the Sabbath meal. The verse praises a woman's worth as being "far above rubies."

• The film was shot in Brooklyn in 1997. During production, some local onlookers objected to its depiction of Judaism and reportedly interfered with filming.

• Renée Zellweger's casting attracted criticism because she was not Jewish. The filmmakers defended the choice by emphasizing her preparation for the role and her understanding of Sonia's emotional life rather than her religious background.

• The film premiered at the Sundance Film Festival in January 1998 before opening theatrically in New York and Los Angeles in March of that year.

• Reviews were mixed, but Zellweger's performance was frequently singled out as one of the film's strongest elements. Critics were more divided over the film's treatment of the Hasidic community, which some considered too simplified.

• The production was made through Rubies, Inc., with Miramax Films handling distribution. It later received home-video releases on VHS and DVD.