Review of Persepolis (2007) by Christopher C — 10 Apr 2011

Artistically, this movie is intriguing. It's simple, dramatic art style that focuses on intense contrast to present itself delights the eye. Accompanying this wonderful visual style is a highly individual and striking plot that tracks the course of the life of a single girl from Iran as she endures revolution, war, puberty, life and love.

And yet, powerful as many of these moments were, there is something that holds the film back in a way that might potentially cripple it. I'll say it now, the vocal track irritates me. It sounds as if the voice-actors had to run through the script at a break-neck pace, often leaving litle room for any kind of emotional range beyond the ability of some ten-year old being forced to read a book out loud in English class.

But there's something else that debilitates Perepolis, and that's the format it's presented it. Persepolis is based on the graphic novel of the same name and art style, and unfortunately I can't help but feel that Persepolis' attempt to stick close to the original book has crippled its ability to be an effective movie.

Persepolis feels like one of those motion comics, not an actual stand-alone film. Scenes are often presented in short vignettes of film, not cohesive, flowing scenes. It makes sense, but I just felt as if I might as well have skipped the film and read the graphic novel.

They're practically the same anyway.