The Complications of Love: Past Lives (2023)

[@itorodriguez9510]

The last line said in the film came from Hae Sung "See you then". That line crushed me. He knew it was the last time he would see Nora in this lifetime.😢

[@brianng8350]

By the end of the movie, I definitely did not know how to feel. Love is complex, and as you said, there is no villain in this movie. I’ve come to appreciate this movie even more for all the subtleties.

[@ruthwarren7751]

Skype is used as those scenes (when Nora is at grad school) are set around 2010. The film indicates it in the era transition titles (24 years earlier, then 12 years later, then 12 years later). The attention to detail in the film is meticulous.

[@kritpickproductions]

Yes this was pointed out to me, thank you though, I'm a bit silly sometimes. Plus, I watched this film in the cinema and then hadn't seen it through a second time when writing the video so things like that often slip by when you're going from memory

[@rujulmohite9996]

another thing to note is that when the two first say goodbye to each other 20 years ago the lighting is bright as day but when they say goodbye to each other in the present the camera cuts to the same two kids at the same place 20 years ago but this time the its night time signifying that each of the two characters bid farewell to their 'past lives' and move on to focus on the present. great review btw, it encapsulates the entire moral perfectly

[@gretaenglish3519]

I just saw this last night for the first time. Great review. I love ambiguous films like this one because it does such a great job depicting how messy life is. As you said, it's not a fairy tale and much of what we experience as humans doesn't get resolved or tied up with a bow. Such a wonderfully moving film.

[@kritpickproductions]

Literally just watched it for the first time since this video came out and yeah, absolutely harrowing experience about the realities of unfortunate circumstance and life. Thanks for watching 😊

[@gretaenglish3519]

You're doing great work. Keep it up!@@kritpickproductions

[@Bob-op5tm]

I love this movie. I have watched it 4 times fully and then bits and pieces when I catch it in the middle or some part. The screen time when they are 12 years old was roughly 10 minutes but f the film. That was amazing how the director told that part of their lives so clearly Bob such a showtime. The most heartbreaking scene is after Hae Sungs Uber leaves , Nora just stands there and her facial expressions show so much..,she’s shocked, surprised, caught off guard that genus gone. Then she turns and takes the first step and the music plays .. the piano it haunts me.

[@msjsville]

Past Lives is a perfect film, one of the best I have seen in many years. Contemplative, engrossing, devastating and beautiful. The performances are incredible, the music is evocative without being manipulative, the storytelling is clear and understated and all the more heartbreaking for that. Unforgettable.

[@MarilynPeterlin]

You nailed it. And don't you think Celine Song is destined to be one of the greatest directors? She is an amazing talent, and this is her FIRST film!

[@robertolongo9175]

In my opinion Greta Lee had to have an Oscar nomination for the best actress

[@leonjeonsilver]

Your review is one of the most interesting and abstract ones, after looking at other reviews. I love yours the best! Particularly your mention of the statues in the park vs the one in NY, facing different directions, also the books next to Nora's computer. These are truly symbolic images that Song has put in that few can appreciate. One other point in the early part of the film, when Nora's mom asked her about Hae Song. Her reply was "she will probably marry him" and "if I ask him to, he will marry me". These words immediately sets the upper hand position that Nora possesses over Hae Song. She has absolute control over him, to the extent of Hae Song submitting his arm as a canvas for Nora's ridiculous classroom scribbling, the the extent of him, encouraging her to draw a tree over there ...(or someting like that).. Any other boy would have pushed Nora away. But Hae Song is just in heaven with Nora writing on his arm, looking like a fool. The irony is when he calls Nora a "Psycho" when he wins her, and in reverse, Nora calls him a "Psycho" in New York, indirectly for him being still so obsessed with her, though not directly in that scene.

[@kritpickproductions]

Thank you very much, I was pretty proud of the statues catch being honest. But I never feel I'm honestly correct, I just kinda like to say what I feel or think and sometimes that hits the mark, sometimes I'm way off. I love that little analysis you've done here and honestly yeah, you're correct. I can relate to every character in this film at some level, Nora especially because I've actually been in a similar situation. But this moment in particular you're talking about is when I most relate to Hae sung. I distinctly remember being this infatuated with a girl when I was young, being under a spell and years long trance as we did similar things like her brushing my hair, drawing in my arm etc. She had absolute power over me and that helplessness he feels resonates with me on a purely adolescent level. Thank you for pointing that out when I failed to! Also, thanks for watching :)

[@leonjeonsilver]

​@@kritpickproductions nice to hear about your adolescence experience. I forget to mention, the last scene when Nora walks back to her gate, and finally cries again, shows the present day, strong willed, ambitious Nora - going back to the 'cry-baby' Nora version of herself for a split moment. While she held herself high throughout visit, putting on a confident, strong front, ... the moment Hae Song is gone, she let's the little Nora break free from her 'cage' again. This shows that there is never a complete 100% new version of Nora, and she had been constantly suppressing the young Nora as hostage in her mind, simply to win the Pulitzer or Tony prize in this new life she found. After the cry, perhaps she will continue to live her new life with Arthur, putting on a strong, but the caged up young Nora, will always linger in her, and on occasion, break out when nobody is looking. I want to add another point, of how I think the movie would end better. ... with the theme of "closure". While the point of view, seems to always come from Nora's perspective, I think the film would have ended better, ... As a Post-credit scene, To show Hae Song, arriving back in Seoul, going back to his girlfriend, and making a form of gesture to show is new found commitment to get back into a relationship. All this bullshit talk of "being ordinary" and not making a ton of money to get married is nonsense. The reality is, that he keeps harbouring hope of getting back with Nora, perhaps in his fantastical mind (before the trip) even think that he will meet a maniac boyfriend, that he can save Nora from, on the NY trip. Side note: Hae Song said "I didn't know that liking your husband would hurt this much". -> this is really a punch in Hae Song's gut. This shows the NY trip has finally let him make peace with himself, and erase Nora from his mind, or rather, accept the fact that in this lifetime, he will never be with Nora. ... Nora, on the other hand, will forever live with little Nora in her mind, knowing she was the one to first make the conscious decision to get married,... she was the one who suggested the initial "Skype Breakup", while Hae Song struggled to continue to hold out a candle to her, making himself available during his NY trip.

[@kritpickproductions]

@@leonjeonsilver that is definitely a thing I did not really click on, but you're right, that is a full loop round to Nora and her tears. Good catch. As for the ending, personally I loved it. For a start, I think the point Song was trying to make is that the closure we get is often not the one we want. Also, I find the open endedness quite beautiful because it's telling us that what happens beyond this point isn't decided, people are fluid and change constantly and nothing is ever really set in stone. But beyond that, I appreciate when a film ends precisely as it needs to because ultimately this isn't a film about Nora or Hae Sung, it's a story about their relationship more than them. It's a study of their connection and importance to one and other, their place in each of their lives. So once that connection is severed, their relationship having come to a close, it stands to reason to not linger on the aftermath but finish the story. For me personally, any added content would only work towards lessening the impactful and bittersweet ending it already had. But that's just me.

[@leonjeonsilver]

@@kritpickproductions you are right. Sometimes, "less (shown) is more (to be imagined)"

[@sunayanapanda1878]

I liked your review. You are observant. I enjoyed watching the film so I was happy that others like you have appreciated it too. For a first time director this is really a well-made film.

[@kritpickproductions]

Thank you very much, I try to invest a lot of my time working films out like a puzzle and sometimes I end up with a pretty decent picture

[@supratiksarkar3422]

Absolutely amazing analysis for the movie at par with what the movie made me feel. Wishing you the very best and a lot of success. Thank you for sharing this video essay with us👍

[@PDSSD_666]

In last scene (bar), There's a bill. it is folded, thus taking a triangular shape( symbolis their triangke Love? Idk ) Arthur breaks the triangle shape and applies his signature on the straighten bill

[@MarilynPeterlin]

Thank you for this excellent commentary. So thoughtful and full of depth and insight. Yours most mirrors my own take on this marvelous film, not a typical "love triangle" but so much deeper and more universally timeless. I loved your noticing the two faces towards each other and away from each other, wow. "Past Lives" moved me so much I want to share it with everyone I know, it is perhaps one of my top five of all time, and I am a 66-year old cinephile who has seen A LOT of films. I am definitely a subscriber now, your review was the best I have seen and read so far.

[@LulaTheStampede]

heck yeah keep on going ur videos keep getting better the editing is so good!

[@kritpickproductions]

Thank you so much, Lula! I'm really trying haha

[@vijaypg1]

This movie was very sad, as I am a romantic at heart.

[@dy2203]

Whoever claimed that theoretical physics is dull clearly hasn't delved into its romantic allure. Consider the captivating parallel universe theory, wherein every conceivable life outcome unfolds in alternate realms. Contemplate Nora's decision to remain in Korea - how would the narrative conclude? Would their sentiments endure unchanged? With each choice we embrace, a parallel occurrence unfolds. I often ponder the trajectory of my life might have taken had I refrained from that step that reshaped everything. Perhaps it's these musings that propel me forward and hold me back in memory at the same time. In another universe, I would find myself contemplating the life I presently lead. Life is funny sometimes. It plays a joke on us and does not care who is laughing while shedding tears...

[@daniellee6133]

They are using Skype because the time period is in early 2000’s. Look at the iPhone model and MacBook Air in those scenes.

[@kritpickproductions]

I'm not massively familiar with Apple products so it really wouldn't have registered but you absolutely may be right. Thank you!

[@solyg5151]

Bruh, you didn't even have to look at the apple products, the movie literally tells you when time passes- @@kritpickproductions

[@eataneraser]

@@kritpickproductions It's SLIGHTLY weird to do an analysis of the film and not be aware that they were Skyping explicitly in 2012. The surrounding technology isn't an imperative clue, it's really specifically them in 2012 and that's one of the accents to show that.

[@BKME19]

This was one of my most favorite takes on 'Past Lives' and I've watched so many! Great work. Are there any other movies that are similar to Past Lives? :)

[@kritpickproductions]

There's nothing exactly like it, but Lovesong from So Yong Kim comes pretty close to me. There's also a few other great Love Dramas like Lee Chang-dong's 'Burning' or Marriage Story from Noah Baumbach, maybe even Her from Spike Jonze. Honestly, even Mulholland Drive by David Lynch could be considered amongst that type of film, except a lot more mind-bending. Anyway, thank you so much for watching, I was very proud of this video, glad you enjoyed it!

[@BKME19]

@@kritpickproductions will check out your recommendations! This movie moved me so much that I need more of it!

[@jaykay-_-ok]

Key insights 🎥 Past Lives is a film that effectively explores the complexities of love, challenging the notion that romance is always positive. 🤔 The decision to change one's name, as seen with Nae Young changing her name to Nora, suggests a deeper exploration of identity and the significance of names in different cultures. 🌈 "This film is not only about Nora and her complications between unpacking her love for two different men, but it's also about these two men, especially hey song whose story is honestly heartbreaking." 💔 Macbeth is not a typical love story, but it does offer commentary on love and how fulfilling one's destiny can lead to growing apart and bitterness in a relationship. 🎥 The film successfully builds two believable romantic relationships that the audience becomes invested in, which is impressive considering many films struggle to do so with just one relationship. 💔 The film challenges the idea that a romantic fantasy is always better than a conventional story, forcing Nora to choose between her lifelong dream and her secure current life. 😬 The climax of the bar scene is both beautiful and awkward, evoking a sense of endearment and discomfort simultaneously. 🤔 "Past Lives" is a movie that offers a multitude of details, moments, and lines to unpack, encouraging viewers to watch it multiple times.

[@estherchoe2580]

Great movies! Yeh!

[@nicolesherman8974]

👀

[@kritpickproductions]

👀