Past Lives: Directed by Celine Song

SYNOPSIS: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. 20 years later, they are reunited for one fateful week as they confront notions of love and destiny.

Coming out of the 2023 Sundance Film Festival, everyone was talking about Past Lives as the best film of the year and a clear Oscar favorite to come from the fest. I was unable to check it out due to the fact that I was viewing Sundance in a virtual setting from home. When I finally found a showing in my area, I had to scoop up a ticket. The trailer sold me. I love romance films like this that talk about destiny and things of that nature. A24 also doesn’t miss so there was no reason for me to not have high anticipation. 

It’s really good. This is the ultimate indie film of the year that is going to break so many hearts while also giving so many people hope. I’m not sure what it is about me, but I love love stories that are surrounded by heartbreak. It adds to the emotion and pushes away from the cliches of classic romance films. The script from Celine Song is devastating in all of the right ways. It also uses time in a way that I really love. You never fully figure out the route that Song is taking until the very end and I really respected and enjoyed that because it kept the pacing fresh and the emotion authentic. A beautiful story about love, loss, destiny and purpose.

The performances and the direction are by far the best parts of this film. I love both Greta Lee and Yoo Teo here. Their chemistry seems off putting at points, but when you put it into the setting of this story, it makes sense and feels authentic. I also really liked the work from John Magaro in a supporting role. This film doesn’t work without some really powerful performances. The direction from Lee is stunning. This is a very impressive directorial debut that is both beautiful to look at and blocked in a way that brings you into each conversation like you are walking side by side with the characters. Huge praise goes out to everyone involved. 

FINAL: Past Lives is as good as everyone said it is. A beautiful romance that revolves around love, fate and timing. The performances are stellar and the direction from Celine Song is some of the most impressive of the year. A24 has yet to miss when it comes to films like this and if you have the opportunity to check this out, I would highly recommend it. I can see this getting lots of love this awards season and it would be very well deserved.

Point Breakdown:

15 for Writing: 14

15 for Performances: 15

10 for Entertainment: 8

10 for Direction: 9

10 for Emotions: 9

5 for Cinematography: 5

5 for Score: 4

5 for Pacing: 5

15 for Technical: 14

5 for Rewatchability: 4

5 for Automatic: 5

Past Lives: 92/100

Jack Lautaret is a Banana Meter approved film critic, Host of the Jack Lautaret YouTube Channel and writer for Music City Drive-In. He is a member of the Online Film and Television Association. Twitter: @JackLautaret