Review of A Separation (2011) by Reuben M — 23 Mar 2013

A SEPARATION is a film about a group of good, decent people who fall into enormous, soul-shattering ethical and legal dilemmas in part because they are trying to do good. To be righteous. To be free from sin. To take care of their children. And it all falls apart so easily, right before our eyes.

Set in modern day Iran, the issues of the film are very much rooted in that society...and yet they are universally understandable. It's a tiny story and it's a big story that speaks to everyone. It's important that the film is set in Iran, because of the laws and culture that will weigh so heavily on the main characters. But it feels surprisingly relevant and very close & credible.

The film begins as the main couple of the story, Nader & Simin, are appearing before a judge of some kind. They are intelligent, attractive, educated and fond of each other. But their lives are about to take divergent paths. Simin is asking for a divorce from her husband, because she wants to be able to leave the country with her teenage daughter, who is a bright, studious girl with a great future ahead of her in a country that doesn't put so many obstacles in front of women. Nader does not want to leave, because he feels he must stay and take care of his Alzheimer's -ridden father. Simin advocates that the father go into a home, because he doesn't know his son...and because the welfare of their daughter comes first. Simin seems both callous to her husband's desire to tend to his beloved father, and she seems completely right too. Her daughter NEEDS a chance to fulfill her promise.

The parents dote on their terrific girl. She loves them. She loves her wretched grandfather. They are a terrific if troubled family. But Simin moves out of the house, and Nader must hire a woman to tend to his father while he is at work. Razieh comes to the job from a long commute away, accompanied by her small daughter. She is likely from the country, and wears more traditional, conservative clothing. She is lower class, devote, shy and frightened by the job she has undertaken.

From this simple setup develops a complicated story of misunderstandings, cultural roadblocks, honor betrayed, legal machinations and the sickening realization that everyone is digging themselves into holes from which they cannot emerge unscathed.

I don't want to tell you anymore, because the joy of this film lies in part in discovering its secrets. All the characters, even Razieh's hot-headed husband, are mostly good people who make some small but unfortunate choices. It's a chilling film in many ways, because while the passions run hot in these characters as they fight for their souls, they must maintain a mantle of politeness and respect. Their culture demands manners, even as it prevents them from expressing what is REALLY on their minds.

This is a small story, as I said. It involves primarily two families and their troubles. Nothing that happens would ever make the news, even on a small scale. The world churns on around them, completely oblivious to their plight. And yet, for the viewer, the film quietly grabs your attention in its opening moments, and simply does not let go. In part, this is because the script (Oscar nominated) makes each and every person a distinct, fleshed-out and understandable character. If you've ever wondered what folks mean when they decry a movie's lack of character development, check out A SEPARATION. You'll understand what true characters are.

The film is brilliantly acted, as well. Every part offers juicy moments for the actors and they tear into their work. Peyman Moadi as Nader and Leila Hatami as Simin are fantastic, but no one really lags behind. Young Sarina Farhadi as the daughter Termeh is heartbreaking, and special notice must go to Ali-Asghar Shahbazi as the elderly father. He's so immersed in his role, you forget utterly that this is an actor portraying a man with Alzheimer's.

For me, 2011 was not a great year for movies. Very few moved me. THE ARTIST and THE DESCENDANTS were delightful and excellent...but did not make me lean forward in my seat in utter engrossment. Finally, A SEPARATION (even though I saw it in 2012) came along and in its subtle power, made me remember how worthwhile the wait is for a truly great movie.