An Iranian man deserts his French wife and her two children to return to his homeland. Meanwhile, his wife starts up a new relationship, a reality her husband confronts upon his wife's request for a divorce.
The Past is clearly the work of a master dramatist, and precious few filmmakers in world cinema are currently operating at Farhadi's level.
The question that this entire film spins on is whether someone can ever cut themselves off from the past. As an answer to that question, the image that Farhadi concludes with is truly unforgettable.
A bold, honest film about family life that showcases a terrifically unpeppy turn from Bejo.
However much the arthouse trappings try to hide it, the silly late act twists belong on an episode of EastEnders.
Extremely moving when taken at face value, extremely impressive as a piece of immaculate cinematic craft.
The acting is good but it plays like an upscale soap opera, without any emotional payoff.
The intensity of Farhadi's focus means that The Past would seem to be about minutiae. But it is crucially important minutiae, to the point where the dramatic climax hinges on the most fractional twitch of a muscle.
It’s not as skilfully nuanced as his last drama but the storytelling remains precise, surprising and compelling.
Sombre and difficult this movie may be, but it is exhilarating to watch something that makes you come out of the cinema not sated or torpid, but wanting to talk – to talk about what the film meant, and meant to you personally. It's a rare pleasure.
This is an exquisitely made film which probes away at the rawest, most intimate emotions of its characters with a delicacy and insight reminiscent of Krzysztof Kieslowski in his prime.
Verdict: EastEnders in French.
Remarkable stuff.
Bérénice Bejo is outstanding in Oscar-winner Asghar Farhadi's rich study of people trapped in physical and emotional limbo.
Edinburgh Filmhouse, Edinburgh from Friday March 28, 2014, until Thursday April 10, 2014. More info: www.filmhousecinema.com
Glasgow Film Theatre, Glasgow from Friday April 4, 2014, until Thursday April 10, 2014. More info: http://www.glasgowfilm.org/theatre/
Dundee Contemporary Arts, Dundee from Friday April 4, 2014, until Thursday April 10, 2014. More info: www.dca.org.uk
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