The Past

PG-13

Released Dec 20, 2013

2h 10m

Drama

Mystery & Thriller

List

92%

158 Reviews

Tomatometer

83%

10,000+ Ratings

Audience Score

An Iranian man (Tahar Rahim) returns to France to finalize his divorce and finds that his estranged wife (Bérénice Bejo) has a new lover (Ali Mosaffa).

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Critics Consensus

Beautifully written, sensitively directed, and powerfully acted, The Past serves as another compelling testament to Asghar Farhadi's gift for finely layered drama.

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Kevin L

Yet another master class piece of filmmaking from the great Asghar Farhadi. Both as director and as writer (along with Massoumeh Lahidji), Farhadi shows a deft hand at bringing to the screen with such authenticity very weighty issues and behavior of people everywhere when it comes to the dynamics of family, romantic relationships, and specifically infidelity. The writing shows a highly perceptive grasp of the human psyche and how we will react/respond to the words and actions of others based on our needs and our relationship to them. Throw in the innate dangers of jealousy, presumption, fear, and depression, and the seeds are sown for very precarious developments. Key points that are revealed, such as who the now comatose wife took such hienous action in front of, or who was working the day Lucie called, shows the experience and maturity Farhadi has as a storyteller. The layers of understanding, misunderstanding, guilt, misplaced and mistaken guilt, avoidance, and childhood fears and confusion played out in just over two hours are are well composed in the writing, but the actors are very impressive as well. Bejo (Marie-Anne) and Mosaffa (Ahmed) as the divorcing couple and Pauline Burlet as Lucie, Marie's daughter from another marriage, all give note worthy performances. The kids, Ouazani and Rahim are good as well. The ambiguity in the final scene is appropriate as well. Are we, the viewers, optimistic, cynical, in denial, or lost in the past? 4.2 stars I'm never disappointed by this man.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

12/25/22

Full Review

mike v

The Past (French: Le Passé) is a 2013 French–Italian–Iranian drama film, written and directed by Iranian director Asghar Farhadi 🎥 Oof, this isn't good 🙁 Probably give it a miss 👎🏼

Rated 1.5 out of 5 stars

03/31/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Iranian director Asghar Farhadi leaves behind his native homeland to tackle his first attempt on the European stage. In this case, it's France but it really doesn't matter where he chooses to base his story as his ability to convey relationship dramas is universal. This is another fine example of Farhadi's ability to write intricate stories and tease the audience, layer upon layer. There a genuine depth, subtlety and substance to Farhadi's films and further confirmation that he's a genuine master at work.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/19/23

Full Review

Bill

Your review will help others decide whether to watch.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/05/21

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Audience Member

Complicated and sad domestic drama.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/26/23

Full Review

Audience Member

Slow burner but some good themes come out of it. Quite an adult film. Complexities of bringing baggage to a new relationship in middle age are explored here.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

01/28/23

Full Review

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Asghar Farhadi

Director

Bérénice Bejo

Marie

Tahar Rahim

Samir

Ali Mosaffa

Ahmad

Pauline Burlet

Lucie

Elyes Aguis

Fouad

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Kate Muir

Times (UK)

No one wins in this ambiguous, accomplished film, which ends by burdening the audience with a secret that none of the characters will ever know.

Jan 1, 2018

Full Review

Francesca Steele

Independent (UK)

The Past never forgets its domestic focus, and [Asghar] Farhadi's keen eye for subtle emotional shifts keeps the story afloat.

Aug 11, 2017

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Ryan Gilbey

New Statesman

While Farhadi's eye for detail is as unsparing as ever, his style this time around has begun to look formulaic.

Apr 3, 2014

Full Review

Ezequiel Obregón

EscribiendoCine

A solidly told and performed story that will bring welcomed uncertainty to its audience. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 8/10

Sep 9, 2022

Full Review

Diego Batlle

Otroscines.com

The performers are impeccably directed by a director who even when not at his best, always delivers much to enjoy and analyze for cinephiles. [Full review in Spanish]

Rated: 3.5/5

Aug 31, 2022

Full Review

Keith Garlington

Keith & the Movies

Farhadi allows “The Past” to show a social conscience that speaks to greater ills in modern society. At the same time this is a very ground-level story between several damaged yet culpable characters...

Rated: 4.5/5

Aug 24, 2022

Full Review

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Synopsis

An Iranian man (Tahar Rahim) returns to France to finalize his divorce and finds that his estranged wife (Bérénice Bejo) has a new lover (Ali Mosaffa).

Director: Asghar Farhadi
Producer: Alexa Rivero
Screenwriter: Asghar Farhadi, Massoumeh Lahidji
Distributor: Sony Pictures Classics
Production Co: Alvy Distribution, France 3 Cinéma, CN3 Productions, BIM Distribuzione, Memento Films Production
Rating: PG-13 (Mature Thematic Material|Brief Strong Language)
Genre: Drama, Mystery & Thriller
Original Language: French (France)
Release Date (Theaters): Dec 20, 2013, Limited
Release Date (Streaming): Mar 25, 2014
Box Office (Gross USA): $1.3M
Runtime: 2h 10m
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.85:1)

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