Holy Matrimony is the only movie I have found that shows the Hutterite way of life. Although it is a comedy, it does provide a glimpse into this culture, which is normally closed to outsiders.

After helping her boyfriend Peter Jacobsen (Tate Donovan) rob the state fair, Havana (Patricia Arquette) finds herself quickly married, then widowed at the Hutterite colony of his parents. Under their laws, her brother-in-law is supposed to marry her. The catch is that her brother-in-law, Ezekiel (Joseph Gordon-Levitt), is only 12. As he tries to tell the elders, he still doesn't even like girls. Havana has a choice to either marry him or leave the colony. She doesn't intend to leave the colony until she finds the money that her boyfriend-turned-husband hid. Thus, she winds up married to a kid and both are miserable.

Ezekiel does his best to follow the instructions of God and the elders in his colony, but it is impossible for him to force Havana to be a good wife. But when he finds some of Peter's money, he gets the upper hand ... almost ... with Havana. At least he gets her to so something, even if she is doing it the wrong way. He refuses to tell her where Peter hid the money until she becomes a better mate. Along about now, I am thinking that the money may be rotted before she catches onto the art of being a good housewife. Her only desire is to get to Hollywood and become the next Marilyn Monroe.

When Ezekiel discovers that Peter took the money in a robbery, he tells the elders and they decide he will take the money back. Havana will accompany him.

This trip is a disaster from the beginning. Zeke learns that he cannot drive in the U.S. and Havana cannot drive a stick shift. They are being pursued by a disgruntled FBI agent who wants to keep the money for himself. Havana is just waiting for a chance to take the money and run. And poor Zeke just wants to get through the misadventure and return to his peaceful colony in one piece.

Holy Matrimony is a laugh-a-minute. It will warm your heart, tickle your funny bone and likely make you thankful that you can decide who to marry or to not marry at all. It leaves you wondering if, perhaps, the writer wanted to make some type of statement about how it is possible to take religion to an extreme. Whether that was the case or not, the writing is excellent and it might toss a surprise or two at you in the end.

Gordon-Levitt does an outstanding job as Ezekiel. This is one talented child who has a knack for putting a little extra something into his emotional performances. He was great in this role. Arquette is fine as Havana and is totally convincing from beginning to end. All other parts were played well.

I loved the photography, especially during the car wreck and at the state fair in the end. It was a solid and professional job all the way through.

If you are looking for a comedy, this one will do the trick. It is also an interesting cultural experience with the Hutterites. You won't be disappointed with it.