Review of A Separation (2011) by Edgar C — 28 Dec 2013

Becoming one of the Top 20 best Iranian films in my book, Asghar Farhadi puts the Iranian industry in the celluloid map once again with a film that works remarkably as an essay on responsibility and lack of communication. Lack of communication leads to lack of trust. Lack of trust leads to loneliness. Loneliness leads to depression. Depression leads to suffering. Suffering, in one way or another, is transmitted to others, and has many ways to manifest depending on your personality. We see this axiomatic spiral in one of the most memorable films of 2011. It doesn't matter where you come from, or where you were born; family matters come first, and they should be treated responsibly, with an open communication.

Again, this is the second time I see international cinema putting children in the middle of consequences brought by adults, and therefore having to pay for the broken dishes that their parents broke. They are, unwillingly, protagonists of catastrophes (the ending scene is incredibly ridiculous just as it is real nowadays). Their ideas, expressions and tears are the only hope of light left in this chaotic (and dramatic) world. Also, be careful in taking sides, Every single character in the film made a mistake or said a lie except for the two girls, and each mistake and lie brought to light had a negative impact either on the same person or on somebody else. The power of the spoken word is sacred; do not use it to ruin people's lives. If you were on only one character's side and agreed with him/her completely, you did not understand the movie.

Marvelous performances by a very talented ensemble cast of all ages and a screenplay worth worldwide appraisal accentuate this Iranian statement about being honest and taking decisions thinking of your family first and putting yourself in the last place. I had never hated the character of a wife so much since Kramer vs. Kramer (1979).

97/100.