Based on a true event from 2005-2009 in the Manitoba Colony in Bolivia.
The importance of the dialog comes down to the women realizing they have been conditioned for generations.
And about how they are taking back their rights as humans and how to handle that in their particular religious sect. Then add the fact that this particular colony has purposefully kept their women uneducated, which makes it a scarier thought of leaving when you can't read or write.
The dialog is intelligent, well worded and perfectly delivered, and most of all, important.
It doesn't just stop at that this particular colony where 150+ (including men, boys and 3 yr old girls) were abused and raped (according a quick google search). It is a conversation for our society itself and how we handle rape, whether it is at a mass level or individual.
Each character has a different personality to contribute to the conversation, to give different points of views and experiences. The actors played their parts well, with the fight and passiveness of almost every mennonite woman I have known.
I have never read the book (written by a woman who belonged to a branch of mennonites) but I felt that Sarah Polley most likely did it justice. Her choices of lighting and colouring, as well as the authentic mennonite outfits, was spot on and created the appropriate mood and wardrobe.
The only fault I find is that there wasn't more to explain the true event that it is based upon. Even just words at the beginning. And the character Melvin would have been shunned, no questions asked.
The mennonite faith, and the branches of each type, all hold the same values at its core, no matter their liberal or conservative tendencies and allowances.
And mennonite women, in general, are taught from the start what their role is, and it is not to truly think for themselves in all 'deemed important' matters.
This has been going on since no less than the 1700's, possibly longer.
I have read many of the other reviews and many comment on how it was boring. I disagree. Maybe they didn't understand the background story.
Or perhaps I found it more interesting because I grew up in a branch of mennonites and know women that have been a victim of the men in power over them.