Review of A Separation (2011) by Issac L — 05 Sep 2012

A pretty solid movie out of Iran. So solid it won the 2011 Oscar for Best Foreign Film (the best category each year), and is currently rated the No. 102 movie of all-time on imdb. It may be the first progressive movie I have seen out of the region...more modern lifestyles with no terrorism subplots. Then again, progressive is a relative term when the women still have to dress like that.

Anyway, a good story and solid acting carry the movie. Peyman Moadi has little acting credits but basically carries the movie as a man dealing with the separation of his wife, raising his young daughter, and taking care of his dad who suffers from Alzheimer's. I kept expecting to hate this guy...like when he slapped a woman, etc. But as I said, it's progressive, and he's a solid character. It is through him we run into the dilemma of when lying is okay, etc.

The conflict arises from the hired help. Pregnant and in over her head, she makes some mistakes. Moadi's character reacts, and you've got the conflict: did his actions cause the death of her unborn child? A lot goes into it. Almost too much. Had they done it poorly, it probably would not have won (and maybe In Darkness should have won anyway). But the acting is great all-around, including the husband of the help. Good flick.