Tyler Perry's 'Ruth and Boaz': a heartfelt journey of faith, hope and love

I don’t know about you, but now and again, I like to watch something that inspires or casts a positive light on life. 

Aside from the year-end burnout, many look for hope, especially when grappling with mental health struggles. 

Tyler Perry’s modern retelling of a biblical love story, “Ruth and Boaz”, recently ticked the box.

Directed by Alanna Brown and co-written by Michael Elliot and Cory Tynan, it is a story of second chances as well as keeping the faith. 

Ruth (Serayah McNeill ) is a struggling singer with a powerful voice that could move mountains. Tag teaming with her vocalist best friend and roommate, Breana (Nijah Brenea), they are on the cusp of a career breakthrough. 

However, the direction their manager, Syrus (James Lee Thomas), has taken when they get an offer doesn’t sit well with Ruth. 

Oblivious to how ruthless he is in trying to get her to reconsider the deal, she learns the truth when her boyfriend and his father are killed in a failed hijacking. 

Trying to console Naomi (Phylicia Rashad), who learns that their business is in financial trouble and, aside from losing her family, she now has to move to their former home in Tennessee, Ruth decides to join her. 

As much as Ruth needs a fresh start, she feels guilty as well. 

Not a big fan of Ruth, Naomi grudgingly agrees to it.

With both of them cash-strapped, Ruth finds work at a wine estate and manages to catch the eye of Boaz (Tyler Lepley).

Although she doesn’t allow herself to catch feelings for him, especially with her past weighing on her, her singing brings them closer. 

While on the verge of rebuilding herself, working with the inimitable Kenneth “Babyface” Edmonds, her past catches up with her and Boaz gets caught in the crossfire. 

The casting is wonderful, especially when witnessing the chemistry between the leads. 

It’s a heartfelt movie about family, faith, love and forgiveness. 

∎ “Ruth and Boaz” is streaming on Netflix.