Saagar Kote
Directed by Alanna Brown, Netflix’s ‘Ruth & Boaz’ follows the life of a singer named Ruth Moably, who is a talented singer in Atlanta. However, circumstances force her to move out of the city and head to Tennessee, where she has to take care of an elderly, widowed woman named Naomi. She crosses paths with Boaz, the owner of the House of Azra winery, where she gets a job. Sparks fly between the two, which leads to a complex tale of romance.
Boaz becomes fascinated with Ruth’s beautiful voice and intends to help her pursue music again, but her past and her obligations to music deals made earlier stand as obstacles in her path towards redemption. As the two protagonists explore their unique connection, they also face challenges that threaten to drag them away from each other. The Christian romantic drama film deals with ideas of sacrifice, love, passion, and faith, while also featuring stunning visuals and heartwarming music. SPOILERS AHEAD.
Ruth & Boaz Is Partly Inspired by a Biblical Tale of Love
Though it is set in the modern world, ‘Ruth & Boaz’ is loosely inspired by the popular story of biblical characters named Ruth and Boaz. The writers Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan delve into the complexities of the biblical love story through their interpretations. In the movie, Ruth moves out of Atlanta to care for a recently widowed Naomi. Her good nature and her incredible musical talent attract Boaz, who falls in love with her. This story is mirrored in the biblical character of Ruth, a Moabite widow, who chooses to take care of her widowed Judean mother-in-law Naomi, instead of remaining with her own people. When she moves to Judah to take care of her mother-in-law, she meets a wealthy man named Boaz, with whom she develops a connection.
The film pays homage to the biblical story in the Book of Ruth in the Old Testament poignantly. In an interview with The Christian Post, DeVon Franklin, the film’s producer, opined that the story’s foundation comes from the Bible. Talking about a crucial element of the biblical story, he said, “Ruth made a commitment to Naomi not to go home alone. ‘Where you go, I go,’ and as part of her commitment and service, she was committed to a purpose higher than herself. What happened? God blessed her with a love.”
Elaborating on how it is not just a love story between Ruth and Boaz, he added, “It’s also a love story between Ruth and Naomi, and it’s very important to remember: commit to the greater purpose of your purpose and to be of service. And let’s see how God brings love as a part of that.” The film remains deeply committed to the idea of taking care of someone in need and the sacrifices necessary to achieve it. Ruth doesn’t plan to fall in love or meet Boaz, but it just happens to her in unexpected ways. In conclusion, the idea of finding love and connection in unlikely spaces and times is one of the core elements of the story, which connects it to the reality of love in the world and also the biblical story.
The Narrative Depicts the Good and Bad Sides of the Music Industry
Music is one of the most important elements of the film, as it plays a major role in the chemistry between Ruth and Boaz. The rich man instantly falls for the power of Ruth’s voice after hearing her sing in a club. As he builds a connection with her, he also strives to get her back into the pursuit of music on a professional level. Music is the soul of the film, and so is faith. Initially, Ruth is supported by Syrus, who makes her believe that he cares for her. However, business issues make him act in dangerous ways. He begins to threaten Ruth with violence, forcing her to fulfill contractual obligations.
This reflects the reality of artists who get sucked into the field without any idea of how things would turn out. On the other hand, Ruth works with the artist Babyface, who shows her the better part of the music industry. He supports her music and doesn’t intervene in her creative process. The two sides of the music industry are represented by two very different characters in the film. Thus, the film represents the real-life struggles of aspiring singers or other artists who have to go through the difficulties of the industry to thrive.
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