By: debbie lynn elias
With THE PAST, Iran’s official submission for this year’s Best Foreign Language Oscar, writer/director Asghar Farhadi once again taps into the foibles of humanity and gives more credence to the well-oiled mantra “the best laid plans…” As he so artfully shows, each of us is our own worst enemy. Thanks to intense and authentic performances and outstanding metaphorically telling production design, Farhadi and his characters make no apologies for their behaviors; they just live – and that is what touches each and every one of us.
Returning to Paris from Tehran after a four year absence, Ahmad has one thing on his mind – finalize his divorce from estranged wife Marie so that she is free to marry her latest boyfriend Samir. Recognizing a twinge of sadness in Ahmad at ending this chapter of his life, more affecting is his relationship with Marie’s children, especially Marie’s rebellious teenage daughter Lucie. Motivated by a genuinely kind heart, through Ahmad’s eyes secrets are exposed, truth and guilt bubble forth and as we so often see, the children pay for the actions of the adults.
Written and directed by Farhadi, THE PAST packs a powerful emotional punch thanks in large part to the lack of sentimentality, especially with the performance of Berenice Bejo as Marie. While Bejo charmed us in “The Artist”, here, she conveys the frustrations of woman wearing down from motherhood, a string of boyfriends and the inability to accept aging gracefully. She always holds back, keeps something hidden, as if mystery will be enough of an allure. Bejo elicits interest with the performance. The real performance gem in THE PAST is Ali Mosaffa who grounds the film with a warmth and generosity of spirit that is heartwarming and riveting. The weakest link in the film comes in the form of Tahar Rahim who, as boyfriend Samir is unsympathetic, giving the children and the audience the old shoulder.
Thoughtfully and honestly written, there are no heroes, no villains; Farhadi shows us the good, the bad and the ugly of each character, including the children. Focusing on the present and keeping much of THE PAST in “the past”, the story unfolds like a great mystery novel where you want to jump ahead to see what’s coming but with film, one is forced to wait and let the anticipation build. And that anticipation is only heightened thanks to the brilliant cinematography of Mahmoud Kalari. Creating an almost claustrophobic beauty within Marie’s home, the visuals are filled not only with all the elements of a too-small, lived in home, but generously laced with color, light and life. Shadows metaphorically play into thematic elements of secrets of the past while framing is organic and truthful.
THE PAST is very much in the present.
Written and Directed by Asghar Farhadi
Cast: Berenice Bejo, Ali Mosaffa, Tahar Rahim
(sub-titles)
