Past Lives

Now that I've embarked on this "catch-up" journey - which has proven to be a cost-efficient and time-efficient way to see 2023 films later - I've been finding it's also a way to see more films at a time that works best for me. 

Past Lives, however, is an example of film I really would have liked to see in theaters, but at the time work was crazy and theater schedules weren't lining up, so it was an unfortunate casualty. I've eagerly been waiting for it to be available to rent based on glowing reviews and even some "Best of 2023" chatter. 

Without burying the lead in this Rapid Review, I wound up being a tad disappointed but found that my expectations of the film settled the more I watched. Because it's so well made, I'm fine with it being part of the "Best of 2023" group, but it's not going to be topping my list; I need more conflict...more things happening in my films. 

And therein lies the biggest detail about Past Lives: this is a romance film (from A24) where not a whole lot happens. There's minimal conflict and a lot of discussing each character's "past life". Normally, it's these types of films that bore the ever living hell out of me, but there was something more endearing about Past Lives. It may be a film with minimal things going on, but that in no way means it's bad. 

Our story is between Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo). They grow up as children until Nora's family immigrates to Canada. The remainder of the film is a lovely overview of the next 24 years of their lives (jumping in and out at specific points) and the interactions the two of them have. There's a really mature sense of realism with Past Lives that I believe is what captivated me and has me thinking about it after the fact. I've heard mention that it's "heartbreaking" and I'd disagree; it's just real. It emphasizes the passage of time between our interactions while also challenging the notions of living in the past and the "what ifs" comparing to what you currently have. Without being too spoilery, I kept waiting for it to go a more predictable romance path...and it didn't. I guess that could be the heartbreaking path, I found it to be the more mature and real one. 

The concepts of this movie will relate to those who have had a "what if" love in their life (most of us?) and especially adults who've had enough time pass to look back on those differing opportunities. The script is raw and authentic; this barely feels like a movie at some points and more a glimpse at two characters interactions. And those performances are subtly incredible too. Greta Lee's Nora is inspired, thoughtful, and fun while Teo Yoo's Hae Sung is shy, equally thoughtful, and awkward. They're complimented by some exquisite filmmaking from director Celine Song with perfect editing, pacing that fits the nature of the film, gorgeous cinematography, and a supportive original score. 

Past Lives is a complicated film for me to review and recommend because it's essentially a "boring" film, sans much conflict between characters or their environments. But it's so well done - and has such a mature outlook on how life progresses - that I enjoyed it a lot. I may not agree with the highest degree of praise it's getting, but because of the multiple strong components that make up its foundation, I get it and would recommend it to those who are okay with a slower-paced story that may have you thinking about your own "past lives" after the fact. 

Rapid Rath's Review Score | 8/10