By Seth Lukas Hynes
Past Lives
Starring Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro
Rated M
4.5/5
The directorial debut of Celine Song, Past Lives is a deeply touching, extremely well-written drama about two childhood sweethearts from South Korea who reconnect in New York after a long time apart.
The beautiful cinematography captures the contrasting essences of New York and Seoul – New York is bright and open, Seoul is more cramped and neon, but both are vibrant – and maintains a tight focus on its three main characters: Nora/Nae Young (Greta Lee), Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) and Nora’s author husband Arthur (John Magaro).
Lee anchors the film with a persona of ambition, focus and longing, and it’s sweet how Nora and Hae Sung, who are both successful adults, take on some childlike mannerisms at the thought of resuming contact.
Fittingly for playwright protagonist Nora (and its playwright writer-director), Past Lives is full of writerly dialogue that feels detailed and insightful yet natural. The plot isn’t exactly a love-triangle: as Nora and Hae Sung reconnect, Nora reaffirms her love for Arthur, and Past Lives commendably celebrates platonic friendship between men and women.
The three acts each jump roughly a decade, and the plot doesn’t have much conflict, but it doesn’t need to: Past Lives is a tender slice-of-life drama about long-lasting bonds and knowing when to move on.
A simple but profound drama from a talented new filmmaker, Past Lives is playing in most Victorian cinemas.
