A deep dive into the very minds and souls of people.... where it goes beyond the black and white into the seemingly sticky but honest grays, the morally complex, the space where life gets lived.
Asghar Farhadi has this incisive way of creating tantalizingly conflicting situations which are so nuanced and layered, that it becomes near impossible to take sides. Becomes all about perspective. Being human. Like the tagline says, where 'truth divides'.
The movie begins with the couple arguing before a judge. It's tightly scripted right from the word go. Almost solely emotional drama, but so gripping, it glues you to the screen.
Nader (Peyman Moaadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami), a married couple living in Iran with their thirteen year old daughter Termeh, are seeking divorce. The divorce is not granted for lack of sufficient grounds. Simin wants them to move to the US for a better future for their daughter, and Nader doesn't want to move as he wants to look after his ageing father.
The father is suffering from dementia and Simin says, "he doesn't even know you, he will be fine in a home". Nader says "Yes, but I know him". Both strong and both right. And that sets the mood for the movie.
As apparent in title the film is about the process of how their marriage dissolves, and further about how integrity gets compromised in the process.
The father is suffering from dementia and Simin says, "he doesn't even know you, he will be fine in a home". Nader says "Yes, but I know him". Both strong and both right. And that sets the mood for the movie.
As apparent in title the film is about the process of how their marriage dissolves, and further about how integrity gets compromised in the process.
The schisms Asghar Farhadi brings out are not just between the husband and wife, but between class, gender, race, and how in the midst of all those differences, and the challenges of modern day life, societal norms, work expectations, familial relationships..... somewhere along it's hard to be just you. How plain honesty and integrity seem the most difficult thing to do.
Each persons perspective clear, yet as a whole it is complex, intense and mysterious.
It almost begs to ask the question. Do we have it in us to face the searing intensity of emotions exposed or are we happier with the truth under the carpet. At what cost do you hold onto your values. Difficult questions. Definitely pushes buttons.
Each persons perspective clear, yet as a whole it is complex, intense and mysterious.
It almost begs to ask the question. Do we have it in us to face the searing intensity of emotions exposed or are we happier with the truth under the carpet. At what cost do you hold onto your values. Difficult questions. Definitely pushes buttons.
No comments:
Post a Comment