Why Past Lives is a Masterpiece (Movie Review)

[@Onlybadtakes2589]

What a great movie. I felt so invested in the relationship that I actually spent a couple of days thinking about the film and how I felt a little empty inside saying goodbye to the film when it was over.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

I can get that thanks for sharing!

[@Arman-U87]

This movie was fantastic, watched it this week and I was so impressed. Director Celine Song really is someone to look out for in the future and this debut was amazing.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Happy you enjoyed it as well!

[@janechoy2073]

Just saw this movie today in the theater, and it totally sticks the landing - every hint of tension and cluev built up in the first 2 acts - pays off in the final act - the ending scene is pitch perfect. The screenplay, editing, pacing, is quietly perfect. The tension and chemistry in the last act makes my skin crawl wonderfully. I cried too when Norma cried not entirely out of shared experiences but sympathizing with her viewpoint of choices, fate and life. I'm hoping the movie will do well in screenplay and acting come award season!

[@sadie513]

Saw it over the weekend. That ending was spectacular. When Nora finally cried, I did too. Greta Lee deserves all the awards.

[@MrAparatchi]

It's great you review indie movies, too. Most youtube channels only review Marvel, Star wars, ...

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Thank you for seeing this!

[@christianzafiroglu6705]

Absolutely agree. I saw this finally today and was stunned by its power in conveying emotion and story with mere glances and pauses. This is the film of the year. Others are larger, louder, but this one made my movie year.

[@winnie2379]

I love going to movies solo as they are my escape from some life challenges. Today my local theatre announced that it’s closing in a wk & reopening under different branding. So my monthly pass to see as many as I want will soon be cancelled. Past Lives was on my TBV list & my spouse said “go.” So I did. I had the whole place to myself to see this soft, sweet movie. One of my kids overanalyzes & questions their life choices, and I caution them that changing a choice cld mean not meeting the person they love. I wondered if this movie wld touch on that theme. And wow, did it! I’ll be cramming more movies into these next few days, but none will likely stay in my heart like this one.

[@wgonzalez888]

I think at the very end... Hae Sung found closure. He was never rude to Nora during the entire film... but while waiting for the Uber on the final scene, he tells Nora "You are the one who always leaves". I never left". This is absolutely true as Nora leaves him as children to go to Canada and then she leaves him again when reconnected 12 years after to focus on her career. Those words from Hae Sung broke her (literally) when she (once again) becomes a "crybaby" in the arms of Arthur. A second watch is a must on this particular movie to piece everything together. Hae Sung leaves on the Uber without looking back. He knows he can now finally move on back in Seoul after finding closure. She is the one that will now struggle with guilt, regret and sadness. I think this movie is very deep and extraordinary. I hope it wins an Oscar.

[@daughtersjean]

Did Hae Sung want to be with her? Because he hinted at it I thought multiple times, but she’s the one that negated it and played it off? And she cried at the end because she wanted him to kiss her but he wouldn’t because he respected her/her marriage? But I see the closure aspect forsure with Hae Sung

[@bluescat59]

Going for my second viewing tonight. It feels good to *feel. A24 is on some kind of roll. Awards season will treat this film kindly. I eagerly await to see what Ms Song does next. Clearly a gifted writer/director, this was autobiographical so I really want to see what else she has. Such a universal theme, everyone should relate and reflect on this one. It’s brilliant

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Thanks for watching! I agree!

[@nicoleann0703]

Heart wrenching and relatable masterpiece. New favorite movie of mine.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

I’m so happy you enjoyed it as well!

[@swannoir]

I don't know what I expected from this movie but it was not what I got. When Nora burst into tears, so did I. And I didn't realize until that point how emotionally invested I had become in the story. I think there's a lot there we can all relate to, concerning past choices, even if things are fine. Even now, I get emotional just THINKING about the movie.

[@RD-kw7mk]

saw in theaters and WOW. the emotions it was able to elicit within me was truly special. I can't even describe which makes it even better

[@jasonsandoval680]

I went to a screening 2 weeks ago. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo were there for a Q&A. Incredible film. I’ve seen it twice now

[@matthewhallberg8256]

As for John Magaro, I felt his character was a bit too understanding, maybe just a bit too quick to stand aside. Granted, that was better than erring in the other direction and painting him as too jealous. All told though, excellent film. This one is gonna stick with me.

[@matt8743]

I felt that too but him being a writer and see a love story being made I can see him being understanding

[@hiltonhosannah769]

*Way* too understanding, especially in the end. If the roles were reversed, Nora wouldn't have stood for that.

[@cjvvaliente]

@@hiltonhosannah769 That would go against her character.

[@flightjam]

I feel like they themselves ruined their chance to be together. When they reconnected for the first time neither of them explicitly said what they were truly feeling though I'm sure it was understood by each of them but still. Also, the whole thing about her not wanting to talk for a while and turning into 12 years in which she met someone else was on her. They could've talked and would've met after a year or so as they said they would be able to. I mean you went 12 initial years without even hearing from each other so what was one more year to fulfill a true love for one another? So in the end they both but especially her let other things in life take over. It kind of frustrated me because she could've done so many things different to be with him but it's a movie. They needed a script lol. Good movie but again, many ways to be together.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Thanks for sharing!

[@yvettem.holland5072]

I loved the movie. I also agree with you. When they were getting reacquainted over Skype, they both ( especially Nora) insisted on adhering to their career plans and entertained no possibility of diverting to accommodate love. Nora does seem to love her husband; however, it seemed like she chose NYC and her career more than she chose Arthur.

[@sadie513]

I feel he could've done more. That's what Nora wanted from him when they had that last conversation via Skype. Which is why during their conversation at the bar, he finally accepted that her life in NYC was right. He had to see it for himself.

[@pseven21]

Just saw this in theaters this weekend. Absolutely love it! I cried days after I saw it, just thinking about it. Also the vibe kinda reminded me of After Yang.

[@alejandroruiz7060]

Love your review Zach! Can’t wait to watch it😌 I’m going next Sunday😭

[@poul546u]

I wasn’t expecting this movie to be this good and this isn’t even my type of movie but 15 minutes in I was intrigued and it just got better and better. That bedroom scene and the ending. If you watch this movie just have a box of tissues.

[@replicacity92]

Such a beautiful movie. I got emotional at the end

[@lac2275]

Lost in Translation is one of my favorite movies of all time, and I can't wait to see Past Live because everyone tells me it has echoes of Sofia Coppola's film.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

I hope you enjoy it!

[@chamorvenigo]

I give this movie an A24.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Hahahaha

[@MsMalcolmHughes]

I cried twice. It was so well done!

[@cinemalights2625]

Favorite A24 film = Aftersun

[@StaticBlaster]

I'm sure this will be a great movie but I'll wait till it drops on DVD.

[@allistar34]

please don't, it deserves to be seen in theaters

[@LEOIAMLEOONYOUTUBE]

I like your shirt! This movie was beautiful and I cannot wait to see it a second time! 😍

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Thank you for watching!

[@ohhimark8028]

it's more about her struggling with her cultural identity than about romance

[@ZachPopeReviews]

It’s a mix of both

[@DUNGSTA]

Yeah she chose that college coed experience over her soul mate... 😂

[@flightjam]

@@DUNGSTA yeah, tell me aboout it

[@kcsnipes]

I didn’t think it was a masterpiece, I would wait for it on streaming 😅

[@DUNGSTA]

😂

[@cjvvaliente]

elaborate

[@JuanRodriguez-tf7fh]

I want a Gengar plush 😭

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Get one

[@Prodigious1One]

Yeah, it's a great movie about people.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Yes it is

[@frankieeyre-gh8rj]

Do a live stream

[@denniszenanywhere]

I have to be honest here. I didn't find it anything special. It's actually underwritten. I even think the Korean film, Architecture 101, is even better than this. The Before Trilogy is also better. The last one Before Midnight, closer in spirit to this movie, is even more profound. There are so many French films that have done this when they used to make great films. But this is good enough for those who have not seen many great films. My suggestion: burrow deep into Criterion films and you'll realize this is movie is too overpraised for its own good.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Fair enough thanks for sharing I disagree!

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Criterion does have some great films

[@DUNGSTA]

I'm glad she got to go back to her tiny apartment with her husband whom she married for a green card

[@cjvvaliente]

snob

[@philwilliams8153]

will watch with low expectations.

[@joed7185]

Bruh chill it's not a masterpiece lol. Its a good movie, great cinematography and solid ending but there are other films on this topic that do it better. KZbin reviewers are funny man smh

[@ZachPopeReviews]

Films subjective my guy

[@willyhwang1059]

i enjoy the final scenes. but i'm going to be unpopular here and brutal. this movie exemplifies what a weak man is. hae song too chicken to take what he wants and cowards in the dreamy comfort of friend zone. arthur must feel emasculated to let his wife be alone with a rival multiple times. come on. Nora is confused and miserable as result of these weak ass men actions.

[@ZachPopeReviews]

I disagree but thanks for sharing

[@mindofawarrior1971]

The movie is not a masterpiece not even perfect or even good. It's alright I watched it last night because my girlfriend told me about it. Since I love movies I was excited to watch it.. I thought they would end up together at the end but they didn't so all of that was for nothing. I thought she would leave her husband for him or at least kiss or sleep together but nothing. It would have been a better story and a better movie

[@ZachPopeReviews]

I disagree completley if she would have slept with him or left her husband it would have broken the entire purpose of the story but thanks for watching

[@mindofawarrior1971]

@@ZachPopeReviews well in reality she would have slept with him. That's why the movie was pg 13. In real life who wouldn't have done that. For me it didn't make sense after all the years why see each other if nothing was going To happened. Not even a kiss.

[@lukerose4166]

@@mindofawarrior1971In real life it wouldn’t have happened. People meet childhood crushes all the time. They don’t cheat on their long time spouses over it

[@mindofawarrior1971]

@@lukerose4166 it didn't make any sense it was her crush when she was like 10 -12 years old to even be a big deal at that age it doesn't really matter lol

[@c.m.4686]

I disagree. I was expecting them to kiss at the end, given their body language but he was a gentleman, waiting for her signal to kiss. But she had moved on. He had not. And she, from her position of gratitude for the life she was living, chose not to lead him on. She had to let him know that he needed to move on as well. He said - for him “she was the type to leave, for Jon, she was the type to stay”.