Featured Audience Ratings

• Daniel P

  
  An uber-realist slice of life from Iran, where we see into the day-to-day realities that every citizen in the country faces. The story turns around a couple struggling with whether to leave the country or not - the debate that drives them to separate - and it makes perhaps its… More
  An uber-realist slice of life from Iran, where we see into the day-to-day realities that every citizen in the country faces. The story turns around a couple struggling with whether to leave the country or not - the debate that drives them to separate - and it makes perhaps its strongest point with its ending; I won't tell you the endpoint of the narrative, but I will talk about the final shot, which pans the Social Services office and gradually builds the background noise to make what this point seems (to me) to be: the extraordinary struggle required to do rather ordinary things has become ordinary in Iran, and the case we've seen is just another file, something that happens every day. Challenging window into a different kind of society; not the most enjoyable movie, but definitely one from which we can learn a lot by observing the micro-political and the way it plays out.

• paul s

  
  I truly believe that every bible thumping, prejudiced American should be forced to view this complex and beautifully executed film by writer/dir Asghar Farhadi, as it gives not only insight into a different culture, but reveals that the trials and tribulations of these modern Iranian… More
  I truly believe that every bible thumping, prejudiced American should be forced to view this complex and beautifully executed film by writer/dir Asghar Farhadi, as it gives not only insight into a different culture, but reveals that the trials and tribulations of these modern Iranian families are no different than our own. The film begins with a couple sitting in front of a judge (who is not seen). The woman is filing for divorce, claiming that after exhaustive efforts, she has finally gotten a visa so she, her husband, and their 11 year old daughter can leave Iran and give their daughter a better life (not that their existence in Iran is all that shabby - but the promise of freedoms and all the west has to offer is enticing, especially to the mother). The husband is resisting the move as he feels he needs to care for his ailing father, who suffers from severe Altzheimers. The wife tells her husband "be reasonable, he doesn't even know you anymore", to which husband replies "but I know him". This sets the table for all that follows, as Farhadi expertly weaves a tale where The Law comes head on against humanity and every major character acts responsibly, and yet all is still a jumble and everyone opposes everyone else, and even themselves and their own best interests. So much is wasted by conformity - to religion and the social mores it insists upon - the wife of a poor family cannot work as a caregiver because there will not be another woman present to confirm her sanctity (a woman is NEVER supposed to be left alone in a room with a man). That the adherence to this tradition is an impetus to so much of what goes on in the film is telling. Each character tells their version of truth, and acts according to their beliefs, but in the end, in spite of their sincerity, there is tragedy and loss and misunderstanding - as if Babel is in effect and everyone is speaking, but no-one understands. This is a very powerful film, and as it points its lens on the 11 year old girl, the film gives us time to ponder how this bright young woman is trapped in a rigid society, just as her parents and the other main characters are equally trapped. The law is an absolute, and when it is formed and cemented by fundamental religious beliefs - its inflexibility is harmful to the citizen... the age old concept of protecting the citizen by keeping them in ignorance so they won't be corrupted by that old Satanic snake of knowledge.

• Michael S

  
  "A Separation" is simply a masterclass in human storytelling. The writing, acting, and direction are so flawless, you never even clue into the fact you are experiencing a work of fiction. It'll have you in it's grasp like few others. One of the best films of… More
  "A Separation" is simply a masterclass in human storytelling. The writing, acting, and direction are so flawless, you never even clue into the fact you are experiencing a work of fiction. It'll have you in it's grasp like few others. One of the best films of recent years.

• Emil K

  
  A Separation gets points of being surprisingly fast paced and intense experience for a being film mostly about people arguing or having conversations. But ultimately in the end i felt that this story about divorce and justice deserved a better ending than it actually offers us. I am… More
  A Separation gets points of being surprisingly fast paced and intense experience for a being film mostly about people arguing or having conversations. But ultimately in the end i felt that this story about divorce and justice deserved a better ending than it actually offers us. I am not that keen of closures always but with this film i certainly thought that it needed an proper solution and not the weak open ending that left us in the audience nowhere. One of the most riveting things with this film is it's powerhouse acting that feels extremely authentic and director/writer Asghar Farhadi give his actors just enough space to breath properly within their characters. I also admired how Farhadi managed to stay objective for the whole lenght of this film. With a topic like this it could be easy to be preachy but Farhadi never falls into that trap. Leila Hatami and and Peyman Moadi are incredible in the leading roles and all the other supporting roles are equally stunning to watch. There was many things i liked here, but overall i was disappointed by film's abrupt screenplay that had more potential than it actually used.

• Anthony L

  
  A Separation, well deserving of its praise, is an essay on responsibility. It involves different viewpoints of very different people and questions everything from the justice system in Iran to the viewers opinions as to what is right and what is wrong. No one here is really at fault… More
  A Separation, well deserving of its praise, is an essay on responsibility. It involves different viewpoints of very different people and questions everything from the justice system in Iran to the viewers opinions as to what is right and what is wrong. No one here is really at fault but certainly no one is without some kind of guilt. The film also breaks down quite a few taboo subjects and misconceptions or Iran, Iranians and Iranian customs/beliefs. It's never preachy either, leaving it solely to the viewer to decide although at times it's not so much choose your hero as it is choose your villain. Refreshing cinema.

• Dan S

  
  An emotional, powerful look at two families intertwined by tragedy, and how each pleads their case for innocence and how justice should be theirs. A quiet movie that catches you off guard, all while possessing the emotional firepower of justice, guilt, pride, family, and pain in one… More
  An emotional, powerful look at two families intertwined by tragedy, and how each pleads their case for innocence and how justice should be theirs. A quiet movie that catches you off guard, all while possessing the emotional firepower of justice, guilt, pride, family, and pain in one cannon. Tremendous performances anchor this strong film that, like its fitting conclusion, refuses to pick a side, instead giving the viewer a look through objective lenses. A rare work that packs an unmistakable punch, and undoubtedly the best movie of 2011 that will not garner a mainstream audience, but great films like this are truly hard to come by nowadays.

• Everett J

  
  I don't mind foreign language movies at all, and in fact one of my favorite movies of the year so far is a french movie called "Intouchables.". Every year around award season, I try to watch as many nominated movies as possible. I had tried to watch "A… More
  I don't mind foreign language movies at all, and in fact one of my favorite movies of the year so far is a french movie called "Intouchables.". Every year around award season, I try to watch as many nominated movies as possible. I had tried to watch "A Separation" a few times, but the copy wasn't great, so I opted to wait, and it was worth the wait. This is a drama made in Iran, that is very compelling. It revolves around a married couple who are separating because the husband wants to stay with his Alzheimer stricken father and his wife wants to move on. He hires a young pregnant woman to help him out while he works, since his wife has moved out. One day the he comes home early to find his father face down and tied to a bed, but the woman is gone. When she returns they get into a heated argument, and she falls down, and suffers a miscarriage. From there it becomes like a mystery, as to whether or not he caused the miscarriage, and the effects it has on their families. In a lot of the reviews for this I had read it was like a Hitchcock movies, and in some respects I can see that, but at the same time this is a drama, not a thriller/suspense movie. It's well acted, and the way the movie looks is beautiful. It drags a bit in the middle, but stick with it. It's nice to see a movie involving Iran that doesn't involve terrorists, oil, or war. This is a story that could just as easily been told in America. Good movie that if you don't mind subtitles you should check out.

• Pierluigi P

  
  A mundane but extremely intricate story served with verosimilitud, humanism, tenderness and tension, poured on the screen as a reevaluation of everyone's actions and consequences. Marvelously acted. Nourishment for the soul.

• Mark H

  
  A Separation is a flawlessly directed ensemble piece. We're introduced to a family and their acquaintances. Usually a director's hand is apparent, guiding the viewer to a pre-ordained conclusion. In today's world where most stories dictate there must be a hero and a… More
  A Separation is a flawlessly directed ensemble piece. We're introduced to a family and their acquaintances. Usually a director's hand is apparent, guiding the viewer to a pre-ordained conclusion. In today's world where most stories dictate there must be a hero and a villain, writer-director Farhadi is a bit of a rebel. He does not preach, but rather demonstrates life as it really is, where nuance and subtlety reign. His point of view is that he has no point of view. Farhadi simply lays humanity bare in a way that renders race, religion, and nationality irrelevant. Yes cultural differences play a part, as they would in any story regarding a group of people. Yet this not a drama about Iran, or Muslims, or even men and women. It is a drama about what it means to be human. In this way, A Separation is quite simply a masterpiece of modern cinema.

• familiar s

  
  BEWARE OF THE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD......... Knowing where the movie originates from, I couldn't help my cynicism. Apparently not to blame the country here, it's owing to my ignorance (as you may know, it's deep-rooted by default) of what sort of cinema exists… More
  BEWARE OF THE POTENTIAL SPOILERS AHEAD......... Knowing where the movie originates from, I couldn't help my cynicism. Apparently not to blame the country here, it's owing to my ignorance (as you may know, it's deep-rooted by default) of what sort of cinema exists there. The way it began, I feared if it'd be any better than a mediocre TV (drama) episode. Slow as it started, it does pick up once it gets going. The execution of the manipulative ways the characters use to solve their situation is exemplary. Especially the psychological game played by one of the protagonists. If only the movie had a sound ending. Not to say that it could have used a 15-20 minutes' trimming, the plot also starts to fall apart towards the end. I don't have any specific problem with the very ending leaving us to go figure the girl's decision, my problem lies in the incidents before it. If only they'd added it up together toward the end as sensibly as they did for the rest of the part, I'd have appreciated it more. Maybe I've interpreted it incorrectly, but even then I'd have to blame the execution for not being so precise as it was before the last half-hour or so. Having said that, this flick is indeed an exceptionally unique experience. More or less. Its grip before it chooses to fall apart is incredible. Although I'm not the one to go for movies for they leave you thinking (or call for discussions, et al) I admit that even after ending, the movie manages to linger on for a while thanks to its inconsistent, manipulative characters and its premise. (But as I said, that's not a reason enough for me to draw me toward or even consider watching a movie. Some have that sort of preference. To each, their own.) Not a courtroom drama, not a thriller, not a murder mystery, it has a genre of its own. Drama fits the bill, but it's an unusual one for that. Or maybe I'm exaggerating. If you're interested in knowing the truth, it's out there. Can't recommend it enough.

• Jennifer X

  
  I had NO idea that this was a court/legal drama! You come into the film thinking it's gonna go into the predictable marriage-split-apart route but omg it doesn't and it is so impressive! But it's an impressiveness that quietly sneaks up on you, subtly involving you into… More
  I had NO idea that this was a court/legal drama! You come into the film thinking it's gonna go into the predictable marriage-split-apart route but omg it doesn't and it is so impressive! But it's an impressiveness that quietly sneaks up on you, subtly involving you into these characters' lives whose magnitude doesn't hit you until the curtain closes. It's a little bit mystery, little bit 12 Angry Men, little bit morality piece, a lot fantastic.

• Jakey L

  
  Asghar Fahardi's A Separation fully deserves its success and acclaim from the community. The moral contradictions complemented with suspenseful sequencing of events that most contemporary drama fail to portray have been deftly captured with ruthless honesty that will make society… More
  Asghar Fahardi's A Separation fully deserves its success and acclaim from the community. The moral contradictions complemented with suspenseful sequencing of events that most contemporary drama fail to portray have been deftly captured with ruthless honesty that will make society wince to the truthfulness of the idea of society and other issues today, regardless of the Iranian backdrop.

• Sam B

  
  A lot of movies have amazing performances, direction, and writing. The thing that really puts A Separation over the edge is that it has all of those things, but it also comes from out of nowhere, and out of the most unexpected place. It starts with a pretty standard conflict, yet… More
  A lot of movies have amazing performances, direction, and writing. The thing that really puts A Separation over the edge is that it has all of those things, but it also comes from out of nowhere, and out of the most unexpected place. It starts with a pretty standard conflict, yet continues to ramp up the stakes, constantly taking the drama farther than anyone would expect. Towards the end it seems to almost get caught up in its own story, and the film suffers for that, but overall this movie feels simply too fresh to ignore.

• Raymond W

  
  A Separation is definitely one of the best foreign language film of the year. The story is a relatable one, the acting is superb, the script is incredible. It is very morally complex, involving and plays like a mystery in a way. It was shot extremely well making use of viewpoints… More
  A Separation is definitely one of the best foreign language film of the year. The story is a relatable one, the acting is superb, the script is incredible. It is very morally complex, involving and plays like a mystery in a way. It was shot extremely well making use of viewpoints that keep the audience from seeing certain things which is really great for the mystery. This film is intense and it's insight into dissolving relationships is very keen. A definite must see, A Separation will have you in long discussions after the credits roll.

• Greg S

  
  When an Iranian man's wife leaves him seeking a divorce, he must hire a housekeeper to take care of his senile father; an unexpected tragedy embroils him in the Iranian legal system. Slow to start but eventually develops into a morally complex dramatic mystery exploring issues… More
  When an Iranian man's wife leaves him seeking a divorce, he must hire a housekeeper to take care of his senile father; an unexpected tragedy embroils him in the Iranian legal system. Slow to start but eventually develops into a morally complex dramatic mystery exploring issues of deceit, justice, and the stubborn Iranian code of honor.

• danny d

  
  its everything youve heard. the script, the acting, perfect storytelling. the film is a family drama that often plays out as a thriller. one of the interesting aspects of the film is that we're often unsure who we want to believe, and we have to make decisions of whose side we… More
  its everything youve heard. the script, the acting, perfect storytelling. the film is a family drama that often plays out as a thriller. one of the interesting aspects of the film is that we're often unsure who we want to believe, and we have to make decisions of whose side we are on because so many of the characters are compelling. i made my choice early and at the end of the film i still stood by the character i sided with even when we found out some of this characters flaws, but they are all flawed because they are all human. such a well written film.

• 5 o´clock coffee .

  
  I am not surprised with the Oscar nomination and victory. This is an Iranian film in a western format - what can be seen right in the opening credits/scene. The Middle East culture is portrayed in an accessible language, which creates resemblance and, consequently, empathy. The same… More
  I am not surprised with the Oscar nomination and victory. This is an Iranian film in a western format - what can be seen right in the opening credits/scene. The Middle East culture is portrayed in an accessible language, which creates resemblance and, consequently, empathy. The same can't be said about Abbas Kiarostami's films, for example. "Under the Olive Trees" - Iran's submission to the Oscars in 1994; not nominated - is not the type of film for anyone. Either way, "A Separation" is an excellent movie. My only disappointment was the expected "open ending". Not the end itself, but the fact that Asghar Farhadi did not surprise me with a choice. More than a common "trick", open endings can hide a sort of (in) convenience.

• Nate Z

  
  When A Separation won the Best Foreign Film Award at the 2012 Oscars, its writer and director, Asghar Farhadi, gave a heartfelt speech where he accepted the award on behalf of a proud people who "respect all cultures," a country that is much more than portrayed on the news… More
  When A Separation won the Best Foreign Film Award at the 2012 Oscars, its writer and director, Asghar Farhadi, gave a heartfelt speech where he accepted the award on behalf of a proud people who "respect all cultures," a country that is much more than portrayed on the news as a Middle Eastern state of agitation and repression. Then the Iranian state-run TV used the opportunity to insult Israel, saying that the Academy "bowed before Iranian culture," their movie "left behind" the Israeli nominee (Footnote) and "the beginning of the end" of Israel's influence as it "beats the drums of war." Sigh. Just when it looks like progress can be made to build cultural bridges. A Separation is a nuanced tale of struggle between tradition, morality, and personal choice. It's a movie worth taking pride in. Nader (Peyman Moadi) and Simin (Leila Hatami) are a married couple heading for a divorce. She wants to move to the West. He does not want to leave, especially since he must care for his elderly father who suffers from Alzheimer's. Simin wants a better life for herself as well as their 11-year-old daughter, Termeh (Sarina Farhadi, the director's own daughter). Simin does not want to leave without her daughter but cannot get the judge to give her custody without Nader's approval. Simin has moved back in with her parents. Nader hires a working-class maid, Razieh (Sareh Bayet), to care for his father while he's away at work. Razieh is working unbeknownst to her husband, who would disapprove but has been unemployed for nine months. Caring for the elderly man is a lot more than she bargained for. At one point, Razieh calls an imam to ask if it is a sin to change the elderly man's soiled pants. Then one day Nader comes home to find hid father sprawled out on the floor, tied to his bed, and locked in the apartment. When Razieh comes back, she says she had an emergency and keeps it vague. Nader fires her, she demands payment for the day, and he pushes her outside his door. The repercussions of this action will be larger than either could have imagined. Razieh and her husband accuse Nader of intentionally pushing the woman, and when she fell she miscarried her baby. Nader is being tried for murder, but nothing is as clear-cut as what it seems. There's so much to dissect in the intimate, thrilling, and observant little movie about imperfect people living under an imperfect system. It's far more than the dissolution of a marriage and its impact that has on their family. It's about the separation of moral relativism, compromises, cultural estrangement, and the concepts of justice in a world brokered by unjust forces. A Separation is really an ongoing court case that ensnares all the characters and brings them down in some degree. The more information we learn, the more we start questioning exactly what we knew about these characters and their circumstances. We'll get speeches about doing the right thing in the face of opposition, and yet characters will routinely lie to save their own self-interest in the sacrifice of truth. You're thrown into the middle of this drama and by the end you'll likely feel exhausted by how emotionally charged the whole thing is. Lots of breathless arguing, lots of teary-eyed emotions, lots of unvarnished pain exposed, and very little in the way of resolution. This is an agonizing film that doesn't feel the need to kowtow to the hopes of an audience for a happy ending. The lives of these characters are too complicated for tidy resolutions. The open ending, where Nader and Simin await their daughter's decision over which parent she will live with, feels perfect considering that these people, due to circumstance both personal and political, are resigned to limitations on their happiness. This is one of those movies where there are no real villains. You can see everybody's plight and find some reasonable empathy for these people. Initially, the audience sympathy seems to be completely with Nader. He doesn't want a divorce but feels indebted to taking care of his ailing father. He feels like he cannot abandon his father to live in the West. Simin is more vague about her rationale for wanting to leave the country, though one can only assume that her concern for her daughter is directly tied to the subjugated roles of women in Iran. Otherwise, her daughter is apart of a middleclass family where education is prized. Simin callously says that the old man is so far gone into dementia, why does it matter? The tension becomes whether Nader would rather care for his aged father or secure a brighter future for his daughter. After this opening marital clash in front of a judge, the film mostly follows Nader and his care of his father. When he confronts Razieh and is fuming about how he discovered his father, we're there with him. Then when he's accused of murder, a charge we know seems preposterous given what we've witnessed, our empathy further aligns with Nader, who we fill is wrongfully accused of something so serious it will wreck his life and family. Then when Simin reappears, and seemingly believes the worst of the story, it feels like she's using the fraught circumstances to her advantage to force her daughter's hand into deciding to leave Iran. But then the movie continues and you see that Simin has more at stake, Razieh is a sad woman penned in by circumstances, and Termeh is not the innocent child she appears to be. Your loyalties will be pulled in multiple directions until you ultimately conclude that these aren't good people or bad people but merely people, fairly relatable and sympathetic. A Separation shows a different side to Iran, a side that most Americans don't see given the news coverage. The Iran on display in the film is a world in conflict. There's the emerging voice of women conflicting with the male sense of privilege, there's the conflict between classes illustrated by the stark difference sin living conditions between Nader and Razieh, who must make lengthy commutes just to earn a pittance, the conflict between parents who say they want what is bets for their child but provide her with false choices and use her as a battering ram against the other side, the conflict between a justice system that must stick to the letter of the law and the cases that cannot be so simply defined, the conflict between allegiance and self-interest, the conflict between personal gain and the truth, the conflict of caring for the old versus establishing a life of opportunity for the young, and the conflict between religious faith and daily living. There's so much going on in this movie that every detail feels telling, ever actor feels rooted is reality, and every new moment further complicates an already messy situation. A Separation is the kind of meaty drama that Hollywood seems to have forgotten how to make anymore. It's patient and uncompromising, trusting its audience to wade through nuance and ambiguity rather than be told explicitly how to feel. The complex character work, alarming intimacy, and observational details of a society in relatable turmoil build the foundation of one very enthralling, thrilling, deeply resonant piece of work. A Separation is an example of superior filmmaking and the idea that movies from around the globe, even places that our politicians demagogue as an "axis of evil," can tell universally human stories. This is a movie that will spark discussion long after it's over. Nate's Grade: A

• Reid V

  
  An absolutely beautiful and wholly impressive family drama. In which good intentions, pride, and the desire for absolution, coalesce into spectacular human drama.What starts out at as a tale of familial discord, slowly unravels to include keen insights into civilization as a whole.… More
  An absolutely beautiful and wholly impressive family drama. In which good intentions, pride, and the desire for absolution, coalesce into spectacular human drama.What starts out at as a tale of familial discord, slowly unravels to include keen insights into civilization as a whole. Rarely are things black and white, but we as people choose to see them as such. Casting aside the complexity of the situation, we ultimately choose to assign intentions and consequently make our judgements. While this tale would be powerful in any setting, the fact that it is Iranian only bolsters the film's message. In a Theocracy that only thinks in absolutes, the director points out that things aren't so simple. It deftly contrasts the decisions made in the Iranian courtroom with the decisions made by the characters in their private lives. The law doesn't care about the grey area, and we as a people don't either. Director Ashgar Farhadi also brilliantly withholds key pieces of the story, causing the viewer to make their own judgements on the situation. This immerses the viewer in the film even more by not giving them the power to see this situation objectively. It is a unique and satisfying twist. The power of the acting alone is enough to make this film worth your time. Peyman Moaadi is captivating and gives easily one of my favorite performances of 2011. As usual, I fear I could go on much longer and I do not wish to waste any more of your or my time. Just trust me on this one. Go out and track down this film. It is an experience you won't soon forget.

• Jonathan H

  
  What a terrific film. At first, A Separation appears to be only about a difficult decision that ruins an already dissolving marriage; then, as the layers are peeled back, it becomes a compelling glimpse into a contemporary Persian culture, where class, religious and family… More
  What a terrific film. At first, A Separation appears to be only about a difficult decision that ruins an already dissolving marriage; then, as the layers are peeled back, it becomes a compelling glimpse into a contemporary Persian culture, where class, religious and family stratification permeate throughout. It raises globally relevant questions about responsibility, the subjectivity and contingency of "telling the truth," and of how thin the line can be between inflexibility and pride -- especially with respect to Iranian men -- and selfishness and tyranny. The performances are top notch (led by Sareh Bayat), and director Asghar Farhadi does a great job of picking his spots -- at once, he composes uncomplicated compositions and sequences and let his actors loose, which leads to some of the most morally and psychologically complex character development in recent memory; and then he'll rigidly frame his shots and gracefully move the camera in an effort to inform the narrative. Also, his commitment to symbolism and a brisk editing pace would make even Hitchcock proud. In terms of plotting, the stakes are wisely established early on, and the rest of the film approaches the proceedings from every angle imaginable, making the viewer revere and loathe every character, sometimes in the same breath. Perhaps what I admired most about A Separation (and this is the edict of all Art House cinema) is how it gets so much out of so little. Shot mostly on hand held cameras, relatively crude cinematography, and nothing much in terms of production or art design -- but it doesn't matter, the core of the film is remarkably strong, and that's what counts, even in today's cinematic climate. It's minimalistic and economic, but it's also deeply affecting -- and, for my money, the best film of 2011.

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