Review of A Separation (2011) by Genaro C — 01 Jun 2013

This is a very strong movie that has the distinction of capturing the complexities of real life situations, particularly because everyone in it is trying to do the right thing from where they stand. Unfortunately, for most viewers it practically demands multiple viewings because it also boasts some unusual creative decisions. To get this out of the way quickly, there are two big problems that kept me from fully enjoying it: the title and the character Simin. The more appropriate title would have been "A Messy Court Case", because the majority of the running time is devoted to resolving a difficult legal dispute between Nader and another couple. There are very few scenes that actually explore the relationship between the two divorcees, even though these are excellent. On top of that, the wife Simin receives an aggravatingly small amount of screen time; out of a total duration of about 2 hours, she only appears for approximately 25 minutes, frustrating because she is even at the forefront of the movie's cover. I am sure there was a reason for this, but I still believe it to be a detriment. It prevents us from fully understanding both sides of the story.

That being said, if you understand these things before watching the movie and keep in mind that everything in it is more or less a result of the divorce, you will probably appreciate it much more. It is very different from what I am used to and I believe that with repeated viewings I too will learn to appreciate it more. There are a slew of insightful, powerful moments and, despite any initial issues, this is still a stronger and more dignified film on the complexities of marital issues than Eyes Wide Shut.