PAST LIVES
Cert 12A
106 mins
BBFC advice: Contains infrequent strong language
In 2004, it was reported that new Internet sites such as Friends Reunited were unwittingly fuelling a surge in marital break-ups after husbands and wives contacted old flames.
I would venture that even more looked up former crushes to see what they were up to without walking out on their spouses.
It's inevitable that those who tugged at heartstrings will be remembered - especially, from our formative years.
Thus, Past Lives' storyline of first loves getting in touch decades after they were innocent school boyfriend and girlfriends seems credible.
Celine Song's film is semi-autobiographical and begins in Seoul where 12-year-olds, Na Young (Seung Ah Moon) and Hae Sung (Seung Min Yim) are classmates.
They are very fond of each other but are also rivals as they strive for top marks.
But just as their romance begins to bud, she is told by her parents that her family is emigrating to Canada and, consequently, the pair lose touch for 12 years.
Through social media, contact is made and a spark is reignited, prompting them to chat regularly over cyberspace.
But is there really any future in such a tie-up after such a long gap?
In all honesty, Mrs W and I found Past Lives slow going. It has a good heart and the premise is interesting but it meanders too much.
That said, there are compelling performances by Greta Lee as adult Na Young and Teo Yoo as grown-up Hae Sung and the story does have emotional resonance.
The camera also lingers over many romantic images of New York and Seoul.
However, considering the avalanche of critical acclaim, many awards and listing among Oscar contenders, Past Lives didn't grab us as much as we expected.
And its denouement is a bit of a letdown.
Reasons to watch: Compelling performances
Reasons to avoid: Meanders
Laughs: None
Jumps: None
Vomit: None
Nudity: None
Overall rating: 6/10
Did you know? The idea that we all have had past lives dates back at least 3,000 years. Discussions of the subject can be found in the ancient traditions of India, Greece, and the Celtic Druids and reincarnation is a common theme among New Age philosophies.
The final word. Celine Song: “This movie really was a discovery for me as a filmmaker because I didn’t know that I was a filmmaker until I was on set, making a movie." Why Now
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