It's a story about three Iranian families who are traveling to North of Iran in order that they can introduce the teacher of one of these families daughters to one of their divorced friends who's coming from Germany to Iran but everything changes when the young teacher (Elly) disappears and no one knows if she's still alive or not.
Farhadi constructs a taut story, as precariously balanced on luck and lies as that of a French farce, and then lets it spring holes before our eyes. The acting is fierce in every sense.
A Separation director Farhadi’s gifted storytelling and direction is on show again in a damning look at Iranian society.
About Elly is gripping, intelligent drama which once again offers an enthralling insight into a largely hidden society.
Built around a beautifully handled mid-point narrative switch, the ensuing drama reconfirms Farhadi as both a master craftsman and a master storyteller.
Farhadi’s films are like moral whodunits, and as Sepideh and her friends gradually unearth the truth, he expertly buffets our sympathies in all directions until the very last shot.
About Elly confirms Farhadi's shrewd judgment of pace, dramatic technique and formal control of an ensemble cast. Anyone who admired A Separation will want to see it (one cast member of that film, Peyman Moadi, appears here) but it stands on its own as a fascinating psychological drama.
Alongside A Separation it will only enhance Asghar Farhadi's reputation as a filmmaker of technical brilliance and serious moral inquiry.
Good intentions have tragic consequences as the gentle, light-hearted charm of the early sequences gradually darkens into a haunting, tension-filled mystery and Farhadi confirms his masterly way with heartrending human dramas.
About Elly is the next best thing. It was made before A Separation, and while it's not quite as compelling, it confirms that Farhadi is a scorchingly good director.
Superbly acted, morally challenging, packed with legitimate suspense, this is film-making of a high order.
Another shrewdly gauged study of our capacity for deception and self-deception from A Separation’s auteur. Emotionally devastating.
A remarkable film that deserves as much acclaim as Farhadi’s award-winner.
This is penetrating, sometimes heartbreaking cinema.
Golshifteh Farahani: 'Exile from iran is like death'
Cameo, Edinburgh from Friday September 14, 2012, until Thursday October 11, 2012. More info: http://www.picturehouses.co.uk/
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday September 14, 2012, until Thursday September 20, 2012. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee from Friday September 21, 2012, until Thursday September 27, 2012. More info: www.dca.org.uk
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