What makes a movie memorable? Is it the dialogues? Or the cinematography? Or is it the people you watch it with? There can be one answer or there can be multiple. For me, Past Lives was memorable for multiple reasons.
The movie revolves around the lives of Nora and Hae Sung, two childhood friends, well, they're more than just friends but also not exactly lovers. Fate comes between them when Nora immigrates to Canada from Seoul. The conflict begins when they meet again after 12 years through a social media platform. It takes them another 12 years to meet in New York, physically.
It's hard to come to terms with the fact that this movie was the debut of Celine Song, it's meticulously crafted and the nuances of a love story are wonderfully captured. It's refreshing and takes its time to bring you into its world. Shabier Kirchner has done a wonderful job with the camera, the frames are neither flashy nor are they boring, there is just enough depth and just the right amount of colors to compliment the story. If that's not perfect cinematography, I don't know what is. The cities in the movie, especially New York and Seoul, are beautifully shown, they're so well integrated into the script that they feel like supporting characters in their own rights.
The story is also wonderfully paced, although there isn't much in the second half of the film, it still doesn't feel out of place or awkward. More than anything, Past Lives is a cozy watch, it's a movie you may want to watch on a comfortable day when regular rom-coms may feel too artificial and a European art house might feel like too much of a work to understand. Infact, this is why I love some of the Asian dramas, the last time I felt like this was when I saw Koreeda's 'after the storm' and 'still walking'. These movies don't complicate the plot, neither do they introduce unnecessary drama, they understand that there's enough drama in everyday relationships and show just that. In the case of Past Lives, it shows the regret of two lovers, two souls that never got a chance to be together and explore what could have been.
In the end, this movie is not so much about past lives or future lives, it's about coming to terms with the present life. We all make choices that define who we are. Nora chooses to immigrate, she chooses to live in New York and become a playwright over going back to Seoul. Hae Sung chooses to stay in Seoul, he chooses a traditional job over a creative one. The choices they make continually push them apart, but something holds them together. Maybe it's In-yun, a Korean concept that says people are brought together based on interactions in their previous lives. Or maybe it's something more. But whatever it is, it's not strong enough to win over reality, and the characters are painfully aware of that.
A Korean proverb says, "even simply brushing clothes with someone is a fate". The movie stays true to this philosophy, maybe even the all powerful director didn't have enough power to change the fate of these broken lovers. But that's okay, because maybe in another life, they'll find comfort in each other's warmth.
If someone tells you that past lives is about a love triangle, don't believe them. Rather, it's about human connections, proper good-byes, overcoming regrets and coming to terms with one's life.
Watch the movie if you want to watch something that's grounded and simple, but beware of the emotional hangover it may leave!
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Raya and The Last Dragon
there’s no huge spoliers in there but like big vague one’s for sure
So, Just Finished watching the latest Disney Movie Raya and the Last Dragon, which is made by same folks behind Frozen and Moana, so let’s talk about it
Starting out the story is set in post-apocalyptic fantasy world very different from our own and it’s more of a pro than a con cause it’s a culture brimming world as Raya travels through all 5 of them (Fang, Talon, Spine, Heart, and Tail, nope it’s not lazy writing they’re named after Dragon anotomy) during the movie and we don’t see anything too much related to our own world except either it’s vague and for when you’re looking really hard which is a delight because it gives these lands their own identitles and its refreshing to watch
Let’s talk about Characters they’re all amazing and adorable in their own ways and you’ll fall in love with them as you spend more time with each of them some of the main highlight’s being Sisu and Raya (basically the whole story is An Optimist friend traveling with the Cautious and boy it’s amazing to watch) and especially Tuk Tuk (He’s just Adorable and basically disney’s toothless) the interaction’s between Namari and Raya will be a really good highlight (Totally someone’s ship and boi can I imagine the flood of fanart) not to mention Raya is a really amazing lead, she’s not trying to discover who she is, her motivations are clear, She’s a warrior navigating through a rough world and that makes her a amazing character to follow and relate to
So, I don’t know who’s Idea was is but boi they put lot’s of Rhyming humor in there and few quick lines to create a sense of familarity, gladly it’s not overused and brings a light of mood to otherwise grim story line,
Speaking of use of things in the movie there’s something missing from the movie and you won’t realize it cause it’s clear that they knew the movie was better without it, I m talking about Obligitory Songs it’s nice to see disney leaving their traditional Princess must sing trope there’s a song at the very end and you listen and go wait !..
There’s a diffrent kind of music in the movie one you’re going to thourougly enjoy I m talking about Action ! and it’s really good and satisfying to watch, you’ll forget it’s a Disney princess movie real quick cause action sequences are completely lethal and they draw you in perfectly
Last but not least Animation is as amazing as it can be you’ll feel the beauty of the movie and it’s little things without a doubt and you’ll fall in love with it right away cause it’s so vibrant and beautiful it’s like a fairy tale
Finally the message of the movie which centre’s around Trust this time does and movie makes it’s point well enough and because characters are relatealble and you’ll understand their point of view and say “I would’ve probably done the same” which makes movie’s conclusion this simple message echo on really deep level and leave us feeling Hopeful and Compassionate
My only complain is I didn’t get to see more of these characters and the world of Raya and The Last Dragon, I hope they make a sequel :)
-Wolf
