Ruth and Boaz Film Review
Biblical Love with a Modern Twist
Ruth and Boaz are two individuals in the Bible whose relationship makes a wonderful love story. Their story is inspirational, which inspires actor, playmaker, and film director Tyler Perry to turn it into a movie on Netflix.
The movie (which bears these individuals’ names) presents a modern twist to a biblical classic.
Below, I’ll summarize Ruth and Boaz using spoilers to provide readers with an accurate account of the film. Then I’ll offer a critique mentioning what I like, dislike, and what viewers should do after watching the movie.
Ruth and Boaz Summary
From Atlanta to Pegram
Ruth and Boaz is about Ruth Mobley, a woman from Atlanta, Georgia, struggling to find her voice. The film introduces her to the audience singing on stage in the duo group 404 with her friend Breana.
While Breana, Syrus, and Marlon are enjoying their success, Ruth longs for something more. This longing compels her to leave 404.
Ironically, this leap of faith teaches her that freedom comes with a price. Angry with how her decision will impact his chances of success, Syrus targets Marlon and his father Eli in a carjacking.
Sadly, they become homicide victims as the “harmless” plot turns tragic. Equally shocking, Marlon’s Mother, Naomi, is now a widow who discovers Eli’s financial troubles.
These troubles leave her with nothing except the home she owns in Pegram, Tennessee. A mixture of fear and love compels Ruth to join Naomi as she returns to Pegram.
Ruth and Boaz are Free to Love
Once there, Ruth displays compassion for Naomi by helping patch up the house and looking after her. She also finds employment as a grape harvester at the Azrah Wine Press.
While there, she gains the favor of the owner, Boaz. Impressed by her work ethic and care for Naomi, Boaz takes an interest in Ruth, and they go on a date at his winery.
The two spend the evening together, conversing and crushing grapes. Though Ruth and Boaz have great chemistry, she’s afraid to let love take its course.
However, she’s not bound by stage fright, as evidenced by her going viral online after singing at a local bar.
But just as Ruth starts to embrace Pegram, Syrus comes to collect the debt she owes for breaking their contract. He and his bodyguard, Wolf, burned down Boaz’s wine cellar to send a warning to Ruth to return to Atlanta.
Thankfully, after a nearly deadly altercation with Boaz and a heroic act by Naomi, they are sent to jail. Free from the oppression of her past, Ruth marries Boaz. Through their story, Naomi experiences a renewal in her faith and the hope love offers.
What I like About Ruth and Boaz
Demonstrations of Love and Cultural Relevance
Love is a foundational theme in Ruth and Boaz based on 1 Corinthians 13:4-8,13, which manifests in various forms. I like how Eli shows love for Marlon and Ruth by encouraging Naomi to stop doubting their relationship.
Adoration also appears through Ruth’s devotion to Naomi and the church’s willingness to repair her house. I appreciate this display of kindness because many in today’s culture believe the church prioritizes money over its members.
Ruth and the church prove they understand God’s call to care for widows and the needy. Their kindness also proves that compassion is the way to restore someone’s faith in God after they’ve gone astray.
Naomi reciprocates the kindness she receives by cooking for Ruth and saving Boaz’s life. Boaz also shows Ruth compassion through a patient pursuit and encourages her to keep singing.
Along with encouraging Ruth, I also like the inclusion of her background. Knowing about her abandonment issues and growing up in foster care helps explain why she needs to meet everyone’s expectations. But like Lecrae says, “if you live for people’s acceptance, you’ll die from their rejection.”
Appearances by artists like Lecrae, Babyface, and Jermaine Dupree also enhance the cultural relevance in Ruth and Boaz. After all, you can’t be a popular singer in Atlanta and not cross paths with other well-known musicians.
Furthermore, I appreciate the irony behind how Ruth’s and Naomi’s paths lead them to Pegram. Pegram means wanderer, and they were lost searching for their identities after losing loved ones and a sense of purpose.
What I Dislike About the Movie
Changes I’d Make to Ruth and Boaz
While I appreciate the movie’s ability to highlight suffering, love, and cultural relevance, I’d make three changes.
First, I’d change Ruth’s religious beliefs. Instead of making her a Christian, I’d present her as an African Spiritualist. African Spiritualists worship multiple gods, like the Moabites of the Ancient Near East. Changing Ruth’s religious affiliation would align with the Book of Ruth, which describes Ruth as a Moabite.
Another change I’d make is the attitude of the grape harvesters. The harvesters are friendly toward one another, which reflects the hospitable demeanor of the South. Southern hospitality is a great characteristic to display towards one’s colleagues.
However, scholars would suggest that a hospitable work environment isn’t the experience Ruth enjoys in scripture. Instead, she was susceptible to various types of harassment.
Consequently, Boaz intentionally places her in the field with female workers to ensure she isn’t harmed.
Along with highlighting how Boaz prevents Ruth from being harmed, I’d also alter the reason why Naomi and Eli leave Pegram. The movie says the couple leaves Tennessee for a better career opportunity in Georgia.
However, in scripture, Elimelech and Ruth move from Bethlehem to Moab due to a famine. Therefore, I’d include a government shutdown, recession, or a factory plant to relate to the biblical story more closely.
The Viewers Responsibility
After Watching Ruth and Boaz
Ruth and Boaz omit key details that prevent the movie from being more closely related to the biblical story. Therefore, the audience should read the Book of Ruth after watching the film.
While the Book of Ruth may not be culturally relevant, the story contains vital information that believers shouldn’t take for granted. For instance, Ruth’s story takes place during a time in Israel’s history when God’s chosen people continually sin against their creator.
Judges 21:25 reveals this when mentioning how everyone does what seems right to themselves. Despite their sinful ways, God remains devoted to them just as Ruth is to Naomi.
God’s devotion to an unfaithful people proves there is nothing that can separate us from his love. This truth serves as a reminder that compels us to repent from sin daily so we can live lives that please and honor God.
A God worthy of honor is also the one who proves himself to be Jehovah Jireh. This appears in the text as Ruth finds provision, protection, and true love from Boaz after committing to care for Naomi. Ruth’s example demonstrates that when you focus on caring for those in need, our Heavenly Father will also supply your needs.
Additionally, God blesses Ruth’s faithful commitment by making her a part of the family line of Jesus Christ. This is important because God wants everyone to be saved, regardless of their ethnicity.
This is also important because Ruth’s kindness becomes a generational blessing that manifests through the way King David and Jesus treat people. So let’s remember to show compassion and kindness to others after we watch Ruth and Boaz. This is how we increase their faith and prove God’s love (and the Holy Spirit) is within us.
Thank you for taking the time to read stories of faith through the Electi A Deo Experience. Feel free to leave a comment below and share this content with everyone you know. Be blessed!
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