The newly released film "Ruth & Boaz" on Netflix, which premiered today, is bound to resonate with anyone familiar with the biblical narrative. This movie, brought to life by the creative minds of Tyler Perry and DeVon Franklin, directed by Alanna Brown, and penned by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan, offers a contemporary twist on the timeless tale found in The Book of Ruth from the Bible. It marks the beginning of an exciting series of faith-driven films that Perry and Franklin plan to produce under their new multi-film agreement.
In a recent interview featured in a Netflix Tudum article, Franklin expressed his enthusiasm about collaborating with Perry, stating, "Tyler and I have been close friends for over 15 years. When he reached out to me to partner on projects that uplift the human spirit, I eagerly accepted. We couldn’t have asked for a better ally than Netflix to help us spread inspiration across the globe. 'Ruth & Boaz' has truly been a labor of love, and I am thrilled to finally unveil this first glimpse to the world. This classic narrative has held profound significance for me and countless others for generations."
But how closely does the film adhere to the original biblical story? Let’s delve into the details.
What is the Biblical Tale of Ruth and Boaz?
The narrative of Ruth and Boaz is derived from The Book of Ruth in the Old Testament. The story begins with Naomi, who faces the heartbreaking loss of her husband and two sons. In her grief, she decides to return to Bethlehem and urges her two daughters-in-law, Orpah and Ruth, to return to their own families. While Orpah complies, Ruth, who was married to Naomi’s son Mahlon, chooses to stay by Naomi’s side, demonstrating her loyalty and love.
Upon arriving in Bethlehem, Ruth takes it upon herself to gather leftover barley from the fields—a practice known as "gleaning"—to provide for both herself and Naomi. During this time, she meets Boaz, the owner of the field, who treats her with kindness and permits her to continue gleaning throughout the harvest. Boaz, being a relative of Ruth’s deceased husband, is bound by an ancient law to marry her. Encouraged by Naomi, Ruth agrees to this union. However, there is a complication: another male relative has the first right to marry Ruth. Fortunately, this relative declines the opportunity, allowing Boaz and Ruth to marry, eventually leading to their happiness and the birth of their child.
How Faithfully Does Tyler Perry’s "Ruth & Boaz" Adapt the Biblical Story?
As you can see, the Netflix adaptation of "Ruth & Boaz" takes considerable creative liberties with the original biblical tale. In this modern retelling, Ruth, portrayed by Serayah, is depicted as a foster child turned aspiring singer on the verge of breaking into the Atlanta music scene. However, she finds herself at odds with her producer, Syrus (played by James Lee Thomas), and decides to quit her job, despite being under contract. Syrus warns her that this decision could lead to serious repercussions.
One of the most significant deviations from the biblical account is the fate of Ruth’s boyfriend, Marlon (Chaundre Hall-Broomfield). In a tragic twist, Marlon is killed due to a botched attempt by Syrus to intimidate Ruth through a staged car-jacking, which inadvertently results in the deaths of both Marlon and his father. This leaves Marlon’s mother, Naomi (Phylicia Rashad), grieving and struggling, as she discovers that her late husband had concealed their financial troubles, forcing her to move back to their former home in Pennsylvania.
In the biblical narrative, Ruth’s decision to accompany Naomi back to Bethlehem is driven purely by her kindness and loyalty. In contrast, the film introduces additional motivations for Ruth, including guilt over the tragic events surrounding Marlon’s death and fear that Syrus may pose a threat to Naomi as well.
Instead of gleaning barley, Ruth finds employment picking grapes at Boaz’s vineyard (played by Tyler Lepley). In this modern context, there is no legal obligation for Boaz to marry Ruth; his interest in her is purely personal. Initially hesitant, Ruth gradually opens up to Boaz, but the looming threat from Syrus, who is intent on enforcing her contract, complicates matters.
Syrus emerges as a significant character not found in the biblical version of Ruth and Boaz. His character may draw inspiration from Cyrus the Great, a Persian king mentioned in the Bible, but it’s important to note that Cyrus the Great had no role in the love story of Ruth and Boaz. His inclusion seems to serve the purpose of introducing conflict and tension, as every compelling narrative requires a villain.
So, what do you think? Does the addition of characters like Syrus enhance the story, or do they detract from the original message? Share your thoughts in the comments below!
