Past Lives is deftly written and directed by Celine Song. Nora and Jung Hae Sung are childhood friends in South Korea. Shortly after going on their first ‘date’ aged 12, Nora’s family emigrate to Canada. Twelve years later, now living in New York, Nora contacts Hae Sung and they start talking incessantly on Skype. Feeling that she needs to get on with her real life, Nora decides the pair need a break. Another 12 years pass, Nora is married to Arthur and Hae Sung takes a trip to New York so the pair can meet up again after two decades apart.
This is a delicate, beautifully made film. Exploring themes of missed chances and fate in a subtle way, Song does a remarkable job considering this is her writing and directing debut. She avoids all the clichés the set up may have prompted, keeping the story grounded and completely believable. All three of the main characters are fully rounded and totally sympathetic.
Teo Yoo manages to keep his feelings obvious but below the surface as Hae Sung and John Magaro breathes life into what could have been a two dimensional character as Arthur. But it is Greta Lee as Nora who gives the most outstanding performance, conveying so much with just small gestures or a smile. She will surely be firmly in contention for a best actress Oscar next year.
Truly a grown up film, with relatable, likeable, characters and one of the best, most touching, endings in recent times.
Rating: 9.5 out of 10