Review of A Separation (2011) by Mitch W — 25 Mar 2012

Having wanted to see it before it won the Foreign Film Oscar, this film really delivered. The best word I can use to describe this film is "intense," not from magical 3-d effects or computer graphics or familiar rockin' tunes, but from the dialogue, the artful nuances picked up by the camera, and the continuing struggle of never being sure what will happen next. When things go from bad to worse and everyone starts pointing fingers, the setting transforms into a tangled web of half-truths and uncertainty. In many ways the audience is receptive with the daughter, Termeh, trying to make sense of everything that's going on as she sees the fallibility of both her parents and has to find ways to try and keep the family together. This film passed my soda test, meaning I was involved in the movie to the point that I forgot I was in a theater.

Despite the heavy feelings of guilt and struggle going on with all these characters, none of it ever got to me. I felt no personal relationship with the movie, and could only watch it as an observer. I never cried or even got sad despite being able to relate to these characters. Perhaps the movie was just too intense to allow for other emotions, I don't know. However, that being said, it is still an amazing film worth seeing.

The credits sequence was excellent.