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Past Lives wasn't really on my radar when it first came out. Honestly, I waited a pretty long time before I finally decided to watch the film. At the time, Vermont was going through a stormy week. I think I just wanted to escape the house and catch a movie on a cozy, rainy night. The vibe was just perfect. It was the first time in a while that I went to the movies by myself.
Past Lives is something special and totally unique. It reminds me of other romantic films that I absolutely love, like The Worst Person in the World, In the Mood for Love, Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, and A Summer's Tale. I'm a sucker for romance movies. Past Lives is a heavy hitter with strong writing and great acting. It's a phenomenal debut film by Celine Song, and the movie has me excited for what she directs next.
Past Lives follows Nora played by Greta Lee and Hae Sung played by Yoo Teo, two childhood friends who become separated from each other after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea to the United States. After 20 years, the two reconnect for one week in New York City, reminiscing about their lives and their time together in South Korea. Both imagine and discuss the possibilities of being together in another life, whether in the past or in the future.
I’m genuinely impressed by this film. Past Lives tells a compelling story that encourages viewers to contemplate their life. The film frequently explores a concept known as In-Yun, the Korean term for Fate or predestination. It suggests that the lives we've lived before and the small connections we forge throughout our time on earth resonate across different layers of existence until they ultimately converge, allowing people to reunite. Personally, I found this to be one of the most fascinating concepts to emphasize and center a film around – it's such a romantic concept.
The themes surrounding predestination really helped me appreciate the writing and performances in the movie; the writing was striking, almost as natural as Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind. And I can’t help but feel it’s intentional for the films to be so similar - there is a subtle Easter egg referencing the film in a scene where Nora and Hae Sung discuss American movies.
Performance-wise, I really like how Hae Sung is reserved when he first sees Nora, he gradually becomes more relaxed and at ease with her as they reacquaint themselves. John Magaro delivered a compelling supporting performance in this film, playing Nora's American husband named Arthur. At first, you might think Arthur would be a prick about Hae Sung, but surprisingly, he’s understanding and trusts Nora. He gives her the space she needs to find closure with someone she never truly had a chance to say goodbye to. John Magaro navigates a complex character, skillfully managing two distinct emotions that demand a delicate approach: expressing his love for Nora while also showing empathy and understanding as she seeks her closure.
Hae Sung and Nora share some truly phenomenal scenes in the latter half of the film. One of my favorites is an almost love triangle moment where Nora, Hae Sung, and Arthur are all seated at the bar. It's evident that Hae Sung's feelings for Nora are still very strong, yet he acknowledges that her happiness lies with Arthur. The film brilliantly captures sequences where they converse in Korean, and occasionally, Nora translates specific parts of their conversation to Arthur. These scenes highlight the complexities of their relationships and add an extra layer of depth to the performances.
The middle of the film has a significant lull that feels somewhat predictable. I understand that these scenes did contribute to the development of Hae Sung and Nora as characters, showing them as more mature individuals. However, I found myself wanting to go straight to that juicy third act—a momentous reunion between Hae Sung and Nora—that I was eagerly waiting for. Aside from that, this was one of the highest-rated films I’ve seen in 2023.
If you're into romance films, then this one is definitely a must-see. And if you appreciate exceptional writing and acting, it becomes an absolute must-see. It's the kind of film that makes me wish I could experience that first viewing all over again. If you enjoyed this review, follow me on Letterboxd and we can connect.