The Bible’s Book of Ruth has always told the tale of two loves: Ruth and Boaz’s and that of Ruth and her widowed mother-in-law, Naomi.
And a significant scene early in “Ruth & Boaz,” a modern retelling, features Naomi (Phylicia Rashad, the drama’s saving grace) when she meets her son’s new love, Ruth, a rising star in Atlanta’s music scene. Naomi is not impressed.
She has yet to see that the young woman with a magenta wig, scant attire and tragic back story is souring on the music made by her and her best friend, Breana (Nijah Brenea). When Ruth breaks her contract with her producer, Syrus (James Lee Thomas), he begins a coercive, violent campaign to keep her.
Those accustomed to the output of the Tyler Perry Studios, which produced this film, will recognize the ensuing minuet of trauma and triumph. Those familiar with the biblical text won’t be surprised when Naomi is forced by tragedy (and an improbable plot point) to return to the humble home of her youth — a rural enclave outside Nashville — with Ruth as her unsought companion.
While Naomi grieves, Ruth soon finds work at a vineyard owned by Boaz (Tyler Lepley), a man as heart-driven as he is handsome. She also blows him and other honky-tonk patrons away on an open-mic night. But what about Syrus? Where Ruth goes, will he follow?
Ruth and Boaz’s chemistry never approaches the teasingly sexy authenticity early in the movie of Naomi and her husband, Eli (Gregalan Williams). But the real hiccup in this retelling — directed by Alanna Brown — is the way the screenwriters lean on familiarity with the source material and hurry the love story. A case of preaching to the converted, perhaps?
Ruth & Boaz
Not rated. Running time: 1 hour 33 minutes. Watch on Netflix.
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