The Past (2013)

[baumer]

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[Fancyarcher]

Thanks Baumer that was quick,

 

Asghar Farhadi’s The Past is an astonishing drama, full of excellent performances. The film, is at times, very loud, and yet, it can also be very relaxing and calm. The Past centers, originally, on an Iranian man named Ahmad (played by Ali Mosaffa) who is returning to France after four years to meet his wife, Marie (played by Berenice Bejo), and her daughters from her previous marriage, whom he had deserted.  As he arrives, he discovers that his wife is now in a relationship with a man named Samir (Tahar Rahim). Samir is having some problems of his own, specifically that his wife is in a comma after attempting suicide. Marie is also having problems, specifically with her daughter Lucie, who disapproves of her relationship with Samir. As the film progresses, more secrets are revealed, as people come to terms with the problems they are facing.

 

The Past is a very compelling movie with excellent performances. Berenice Bejo, who plays Marie, gives a very powerful performance as Marie, who may seem on the surface to be very unlikeable, but considering what she’s going through we can sympathize with her as to why she would snap, or at the very least, feel stressed because of her problems. Bejo is very much alive in terms of her performance, and not once does she not show some emotion in her role. She’s also a very good “yeller”.

Ali Mosaffa also gives a strong performance as Ahmad. During most of the film his character is put through one miserable situation after another. Mosaffa shows this very well, as he spends most of the film acting depressed, but he does have moments of happiness as well, they’re just few and far between. He is both very quiet and understandable in this role.

 

Tahar Rahim who plays Samir, may give the film’s most gripping performance. Samir is also, in actuality, as the film progresses, the main character. Rahim is very subtle in the role. Like all of the characters in the film, Samir suffers one depressing thing after another, yet despite all the odds, he is still very confident, tries to have a positive outlook on life and so on. Rahim’s successful performance is one of sheer strength in terms of emotion.

 

Pauline Barlet who plays Marie’s daughter, Lucie, is also quite good. She plays a teen who wants nothing to do with her mother. She is understandable as a character and acts like we would expect any teen would. Additionally, Elyes Aguis and Jeanne Jestin are Samir’s children, Fouad and Lea, give some of the best ,natural childrens’ performances I’ve seen all year.

 

While in terms of directing, The Past isn’t the best I’ve seen all year, there are some other interesting aspects to the film. For one, the film lacks a clear soundtrack, and that is obviously intentional. The lack of a soundtrack helps to heighten the mood of the film, as it becomes apparent that the film is meant to be “depressing”, in its overall tone.

 

Though I can’t recommend The Past for everyone, since many people might not find the characters in this film to be very unlikeable or might not be able to sit through the more emotional scenes of the film, I can safely say that The Past ranks as one of 2013’s best foreign language films. Excellent performances along with a “bleak but positive mood” help to make this film stand out quite a bit from other films I have seen this past year.

Edited March 24, 2014 by Fancyarcher

[bartonfink]

Such an exquisite & interesting film about ethical dilemma of innocent people. I can't wait to see Asghar Farhadi's next film. 

Edited March 27, 2015 by bartonfink