The Past

Name: The Past
Genre: Drama, Mystery
Released: December 20, 2013
Duration: 130 min
Rating: 85
Cast: Ali Mosaffa, Bérénice Bejo, Elyes Aguis, Pauline Burlet, Tahar Rahim

2013

METASCORE

Universal acclaim based on 41 Critic Reviews

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USER SCORE

Universal acclaim based on 125 Ratings

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8.2

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8.2	User Score Universal acclaim based on 125 Ratings

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Movie Details & Credits

Sony Pictures Classics | Release Date: December 20, 2013 | PG-13

Starring: Ali Mosaffa, Bérénice Bejo, Elyes Aguis, Pauline Burlet, Tahar Rahim

Summary: Following a four year separation, Ahmad (Ali Mosaffa) returns to Paris from Tehran, when his estranged French wife, Marie (Bérénice Bejo), asks him to finalize their divorce procedure so she can marry her new boyfriend Samir (Tahar Rahim). During his tense brief stay, Ahmad discovers the conflicting nature of Marie's relationship with herFollowing a four year separation, Ahmad (Ali Mosaffa) returns to Paris from Tehran, when his estranged French wife, Marie (Bérénice Bejo), asks him to finalize their divorce procedure so she can marry her new boyfriend Samir (Tahar Rahim). During his tense brief stay, Ahmad discovers the conflicting nature of Marie's relationship with her teenage daughter Lucie (Pauline Burlet). Ahmad's efforts to improve this relationship soon unveil a secret from their past. [Sony Pictures Classics]… Expand

Director: Asghar Farhadi

Genre(s): Drama, Mystery

Rating: PG-13

Runtime: 130 min

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Metascore

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Critic Reviews

100

Steve Persall

Feb 19, 2014

With The Past, Farhadi again displays a gift for poking into corners of nondescript lives and discovering unique drama. Read full review

100

RogerEbert.com Godfrey Cheshire

Dec 20, 2013

Another brilliantly mounted drama concerning fracturing families, hidden motives and the difficulties of attaining stability in a rapidly changing world. Read full review

Marc Mohan

Jan 30, 2014

The film's final scene, which manages to recontextualize everything we've seen so far with a brilliant simplicity that, if further proof were needed, establishes Farhadi as one of the best storytellers in cinema today. Read full review

Farran Smith Nehme

Dec 20, 2013

If The Past doesn’t equal the masterpiece that preceded it, it’s still an exceptional film from a man who is clearly one of the best working directors. Read full review

Empire Phil de Semlyen

Mar 17, 2014

A bold, honest film about family life that showcases a terrifically unpeppy turn from Bejo. Read full review

Keith Uhlich

Dec 18, 2013

It’s almost impossible to describe the narrative specifics of The Past without making the movie seem ridiculously hammy. Indeed, several twists involving Samir, a dry cleaner with plenty of his own troubles, tip a bit into hoary melodramatics. Read full review

Time Out London Dave Calhoun

May 26, 2013

It’s intricate and often mature as drama, but it’s also meandering and at times heavy-handed, even melodramatic, and the tight control of time, place and action which made ‘A Separation’ so gripping is just not there. Read full review

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User Reviews

prashant2508

Feb 17, 2014

Caught "The past" Asghar Farhadi's latest work last night in Isfahan" Farhadi's hometown" I gave ten star to the past like A separation but i confess that i like A separation more than this movie. The film was a masterpiece of Asghar Farhadi just like other film from this director. I hadn'tCaught "The past" Asghar Farhadi's latest work last night in Isfahan" Farhadi's hometown" I gave ten star to the past like A separation but i confess that i like A separation more than this movie. The film was a masterpiece of Asghar Farhadi just like other film from this director. I hadn't been swept off my feet for a while, and The final sequence of the film had me amazing where name of Bérénice Bejo And Ali Mosaffa was appear in Céline and Samir hands masterfully. I will be shocked if this movie doesn't win an academy award and I hope heard the name Of Iran and Asghar Farhadi when the pocket will be open in this ceremony. This film start little late but when Ahmad and Lucie meet together for second time Farhadi enters first shock to the viewer. From this moments we can see specific signature of Farhadi's drama in this movie. Farhadi never talk about his movies explicitly but I guess purpose of The Past sending an alarm to the selfish man who's always run from his past or in other words its past decisions. This past decisions is impact in our life and the others that we like them to much and Farhadi says "Be careful of Bad effect" maybe for this Marie never let to Ahmad to explain the reason for departure because She believe That decisions is the starting point for adventures that occurred four years later.Similarly, we can determine to the relationship between Marie and Samir or decision of Lucie or Naïma's decision and Or even the Céline's decision.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

dbubbs

Jul 27, 2014

Constantly unfolding and surprising, and ultimately extremely moving. A character piece, about how the past is what forms us, and lingers, no matter what we build. not as taut and perfect as "A Separation" but ultimately just as beautiful.

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

mhm_1371

Dec 20, 2013

Past Or future
Past Or future by Hossein Aghaee.
*** This review may contain spoilers *** Caught "The past" Asghar Farhadi's latest work last night in Isfahan" Farhadi's hometown" I gave ten star to the past like A separation but i confess that i like A separation more than this movie.Past Or future
Past Or future by Hossein Aghaee.
*** This review may contain spoilers ***
Caught "The past" Asghar Farhadi's latest work last night in Isfahan" Farhadi's hometown" I gave ten star to the past like A separation but i confess that i like A separation more than this movie. The film was a masterpiece of Asghar Farhadi just like other film from this director. I hadn't been swept off my feet for a while, and The final sequence of the film had me amazing where name of Bérénice Bejo And Ali Mosaffa was appear in Céline and Samir hands masterfully. I will be shocked if this movie doesn't win an academy award and I hope heard the name Of Iran and Asghar Farhadi when the pocket will be open in this ceremony. This film start little late but when Ahmad and Lucie meet together for second time Farhadi enters first shock to the viewer. From this moments we can see specific signature of Farhadi's drama in this movie. Farhadi never talk about his movies explicitly but I guess purpose of The Past sending an alarm to the selfish man who's always run from his past or in other words its past decisions. This past decisions is impact in our life and the others that we like them to much and Farhadi says "Be careful of Bad effect" maybe for this Marie never let to Ahmad to explain the reason for departure because She believe That decisions is the starting point for adventures that occurred four years later.Similarly, we can determine to the relationship between Marie and Samir or decision of Lucie or Naïma's decision and Or even the Céline's decision.… Expand

2 of 3 users found this helpful21

Lyn

Apr 3, 2014

That last scene ... wow. Not a spoiler to just say that it takes a story that already was complex and adds another layer. As with "A Separation," I appreciated the intensity of the plot & performances. During these family arguments, you never feel that it's just a farcical blow-up that'sThat last scene ... wow. Not a spoiler to just say that it takes a story that already was complex and adds another layer. As with "A Separation," I appreciated the intensity of the plot & performances. During these family arguments, you never feel that it's just a farcical blow-up that's going to lead to a pat solution. The Iranian ex-husband's role felt somewhat formulaic at times ... he seemed to be huddling with one person, then another, then another, imparting what wisdom & help he could muster. The movie's stunner: Berenice Bejo in a role 180 degrees from her chirpy silent film star turn in "The Artist." Once again, she is amazing.… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

Nesbitt10

Apr 12, 2014

It's not always fair to judge a film by its director's previous endeavours, but it's almost impossible to watch "The Past" and not think of director Asghar Farhadi's previous masterpiece "A Separation," a study of two families attempting to navigate Iran's repressive domestic laws and theIt's not always fair to judge a film by its director's previous endeavours, but it's almost impossible to watch "The Past" and not think of director Asghar Farhadi's previous masterpiece "A Separation," a study of two families attempting to navigate Iran's repressive domestic laws and the erosion of their relationships. As the title indicates, "The Past" remains idle in a shared history with its characters who bear the weight of guilt and resentment that fuels this slow burn domestic drama. Ultimately, "The Past" explores the emotional damage that can incur when lines of communication inevitably break down.

Marie (Bérénice Bejo) and Ahmad (Ali Mosaffa) are estranged spouses. Ahmad returns from Iran to France, where Marie lives, to finalize their divorce. When he arrives, he learns that Marie is living with Samir (Tahar Rahim), and Samir's young son, as well as with her own two children from a relationship previous to Ahmad. As Ahmad tries to make the best of his sometimes uncomfortable visit, he finds himself in the middle of several tumultuous situations. As the days pass, more about the lives of these people are revealed, and with considerable consequences.

Farhadi's most complex and involving narrative to date provides a natural progression with no real plot twists while providing some unexpected turns. Teetering on the edge of contrived melodrama, the film builds towards a lackluster and formulaic finale that's nowhere nearly as compelling as Farhadi's uncanny ability to powerfully convey human insight and emotional turmoil. That being said, Farhardi's unsentimental and unforgiving approach ensures that this tale of domestic tension is in capable hands.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

haukyn

Jan 27, 2014

Another powerful film by the director of A Separation, with this having less of the obvious dramatics of the former, but a similar exploration of moral uncertainty and, perhaps, the anguish of human experience. The Past employs a similar set of characters – modern Iranian woman, nice butAnother powerful film by the director of A Separation, with this having less of the obvious dramatics of the former, but a similar exploration of moral uncertainty and, perhaps, the anguish of human experience. The Past employs a similar set of characters – modern Iranian woman, nice but slightly ineffectual husband, difficult teenage daughter, woman in a menial role who plays a catalytic role in the film. This time it was Paris, not Teheran, and Marie-Anne’s husband flies in from Iran to sign the divorce papers. To find his wife ... you'll have to see the film! Anyway, lots of subtle twists & turns in the plot, and the agony of the children caught up in these adult dramas powerfully captured. And the film ends with you left wondering about what's happened, and what happens next. A great way to leave the cinema.… Expand

1 of 1 users found this helpful10

Annieo

Feb 18, 2014

I don't get the acclaim for this film. To my mind it is incredibly slow, predictable and takes itself almost laughably seriously. At half the length it might have had some dramatic tension, but only some. Constant small plot complications seem to be piled on top of one another to keep usI don't get the acclaim for this film. To my mind it is incredibly slow, predictable and takes itself almost laughably seriously. At half the length it might have had some dramatic tension, but only some. Constant small plot complications seem to be piled on top of one another to keep us going. Almost none of the chatacters are likable or even interesting. The exception is Ahmed, who has come back - almost inexplicably - to get his divorce. Apparently he was a bad boy 4 years ago, but now he's an angel. If he and Marie actually got it together again there might have been some point to the film. Without that particular plot complication, I'm left wondering 'Why?'… Expand

0 of 0 users found this helpful00

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