MY UNORTHODOX LIFE is a “docusoap” about Julia Haart, a Fundamentalist, Orthodox, Jewish wife who becomes CEO of Elite World Group. This is one of the largest, profitable modeling agencies in New York. It features the lives of her three adult children and her 14-year-old son, who is still immersed in the ultra-Orthodox lifestyle.
This series should be better, but it falls short on so many levels. It feels staged, and the dialogues or conversations are rehearsed between family members who truly do not know how to deliver a line. At times, it was just painful to watch how petty their lives were. Julia always knows best, and she makes sure everyone around her is aware of her insight. She is not honest with her children and sometimes, downright deceitful in her dealings with them. She does not feel like a loving mom, but more as someone who will get her way no matter what. Superficial and shallow are how I would describe her family, best friend, and second husband.
About three times in each episode, someone would throw out a Hebrew word that would be immediately translated across the bottom of the screen. This does not make me believe they lived a harder, more religious former life. I wanted more comparisons, examples, and situations to all of their so-called growth and journeys. Watching all of them run around in their skin-tight, low cut, too short, barely covering their ass, eccentric outfits did not add to their believability.
MY UNORTHODOX LIFE is not worth your time. I am happy Julia Haart found success, a huge book deal, and tons of sex and freedom in her new lifestyle. I am an empathetic person, but this show never made me care.
It is available to stream on Netflix.
