Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora's family emigrates from South Korea. Decades later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront destiny, love and the choices that make a life.
In Celine Song's cinematic masterpiece Past Lives, we embark on a soul-stirring journey that traverses time, memory, and the intricacies of human relationships. This captivating film explores the poignant story of Na Young, who transforms into Nora when her family moves from Seoul to Canada, bidding a poignant farewell to her classmate Hae Sung. As the years pass, their lives take unexpected turns, and they reunite online, reigniting a spark that defies the boundaries of time and space.
One might expect Past Lives to be a typical romantic tale, filled with idealized love and perfect endings. However, Celine Song masterfully crafts a narrative that acknowledges the very real obstacles that can stand in the way of love – both practical and deeply personal. It's this delicate balance between romance and reality that makes Past Lives a sublime, aching meditation on memory, time, and the complexities of love.
The film's empathetic portrayal of its characters is its true strength. Both Nora and Hae Sung approach their reunion with nebulous expectations and intentions, aware that something profound lingers between them, yet struggling to define it. This emotional ambiguity adds depth to their characters and keeps the audience guessing about the nature of their relationship.
Amidst the uncertainty, Arthur, Nora's American husband, could have easily been portrayed as a villain standing in the way of destiny. However, Past Lives eschews such simplistic storytelling. Instead, it delves into the nuances of human emotions, revealing Arthur as a character who grapples with his own understanding of love and destiny.
The film's magic lies in the details, in those quiet, wistful moments that speak volumes about the unspoken emotions simmering beneath the surface. When Nora tells herself that Hae Sung is just an old friend visiting, and he appears ready to profess his true love, the emotional tension is palpable.
Past Lives defies convention and keeps the audience engaged by maintaining an air of mystery about the true nature of Nora and Hae Sung's connection. It's a once-in-a-lifetime bond that transcends friendship but never quite reaches the next level. As the story unfolds, it evolves from a seemingly straightforward setup into a profound exploration of life, love, and the inexorable passage of time.
Structured in three separate acts spanning 12-year intervals, the film meticulously examines the ill-fated relationship between childhood best friends. It's emotionally resonant to witness two people who seem perfect for each other, only to have life's obstacles intervene. The openness in the storytelling makes Past Lives distinctive and incredibly compelling, and every subtle change in expression feels seismic.
The film beautifully balances past and present scenes, reinforcing its exploration of in-yeon, a Korean-based philosophy about fate and past lives. It avoids the temptation to succumb to mawkishness or the Western insistence on a tidy, happy ending, instead embracing an unflinching realism that keeps the story grounded.
Nora's identity crisis upon Hae Sung's arrival serves as a powerful focal point. It's a reminder that some traumas are not easily overcome; they become a part of us, shaping our identities in ways we may not fully understand. As Nora and Hae Sung explore the city together, something she has never done with Arthur, questions about her true feelings resurface, and the audience is left pondering the nature of destiny and heartbreak.
Past Lives is a film that places emotional maturity at its core. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo deliver measured and profoundly relatable performances, portraying characters bound by destiny. Nora may come across as cold or narcissistic to some viewers, but Song crafts a character who defies traditional romantic moulds, allowing us to appreciate her as an earthy and flawed woman.
Lee's struggles for composure and Yoo's open vulnerability blend seamlessly, creating a chemistry that's both authentic and captivating. John Magaro, as Arthur, adds another layer of depth to the narrative, embodying a character so honest and crestfallen that he elicits both laughter and empathy.
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One of the film's greatest triumphs is its portrayal of lonely cities, capturing their beauty in a way that resonates with anyone who has experienced the solitude of urban life. It highlights the enigmatic malleability of love and friendship, showing how they can evolve yet remain strangely inevitable.
Ultimately, Celine Song's Past Lives is a cinematic gem that invites us to explore the complexities of human connection, the passage of time, and the profound impact of identity on our lives. It's a film that lingers in your thoughts long after the credits roll, leaving you with a deep sense of introspection about the past, present, and the ever-shifting nature of love. "Past Lives" is a timeless tale that reminds us that while love may not always follow a straight path, it remains an enduring force in our lives, transcending the boundaries of time and place.
Past Lives was in NZ cinemas from August 31, 2023