Past Lives
★★★★
Past Lives is one of the most realistic portrayals of divided love that you'll see. Like Richard Linklater's Before series, you feel like you are watching real people deal with real issues in the most mature way possible. But unlike the Before series, its power is left in the silence. It's when the characters aren't talking to each other that you feel the weight of the love triangle that is portrayed on screen.
I have jokingly told people not to watch this film when they are tired because it's an extremely patient and soft movie. I don't mean that as an insult at all, but director Celine Song demands your attention. It's been a while since I've seen a movie that purposely leaves gaps for the audience to fill in the characters' motivations and backstories, yet not lose grasp of the narrative. Greta Lee is terrific in how she plays Nora's allegiances to her individuality and destination as her loving husband (John Magaro) respectfully lets her childhood friend from Korea (Teo Yoo) try to rekindle their connection.
I'm glad Past Lives has garnered so much critical attention because it's a small movie that provides astounding thought-provoking issues about one's fate. As someone who met his wife through Facebook, though we attended the same college at the same time years prior, I really connected with this theme of past lives and what could have happened if another choice had been made. Some may struggle with the slow pace, but if they open their eyes to the intention of all the words and actions, Past Lives is a film that you will end up thinking about way more after it's over than the initial viewing.
