A Separation (2011)

Featured Audience Ratings

• 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.

• Rubia Carolina .

  
  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.

• Saskia D

  
  A powerful and at the same time intimate Iranian drama. Sharpened by social, cultural and religious standards and practices, without any judgment. For many of my friends this movie is considered the best movie of 2011, for me it comes is behind Incendies.

• Aaron N

  
  Termeh: Didn't you say it's not serious? Nader: It got serious. A Separation is a lot of things, but it can be boiled down to a domestic drama mixed with a courtroom drama. The film is Iranian and it is the country's official submission for awards consideration (and… More
  Termeh: Didn't you say it's not serious? Nader: It got serious. A Separation is a lot of things, but it can be boiled down to a domestic drama mixed with a courtroom drama. The film is Iranian and it is the country's official submission for awards consideration (and it will likely win the Oscar, among other awards). It has been well regarded all over and was at the top of many Best of 2011 lists. Knowing all of that going in, I was not really thinking this film had a lot to live up to, nor was I skeptical about how good it could be. My main concern was how a film like this could be gripping enough to really elicit such a strong response. With that in mind, coming out of the film, I found myself to be completely transfixed by how gripping this story was. The different ways more layers involving the characters and themes of the film were revealed over the course of the run-time kept the film engrossing and the strength of the low-key, but precise direction made it all the more effective. Saying "simplistic" in terms of the style of this film would be a misnomer, because there is a lot going on in this fantastic film. read the whole review at thecodeiszeek.com

• William D

  
  Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation" (made in Iran) is a deceptively simple film. On the surface, it seems quite mundane. But gradually, its deeper themes emerge beautifully. It is not just about the specific legal disputes that make up the plot. It's a deep expression… More
  Asghar Farhadi's "A Separation" (made in Iran) is a deceptively simple film. On the surface, it seems quite mundane. But gradually, its deeper themes emerge beautifully. It is not just about the specific legal disputes that make up the plot. It's a deep expression of sorrow about the divisions in present-day Persian society. It's complex enough that one could analyze it in different ways ad infinitum. (How often are you able to say that about a film nowadays?!) The divisions that hit me most powerfully are: - Class stratification. The gap between the well-educated professional class and the poorly educated working class is depicted in a brutal, heart-wrenching way. - Religious stratification. The gap between the religious population (Muslim, of course) and the secular population is shown to have some correspondence to class stratification, with the poor and less educated tending to be more religious, but not always. - Family divisions. This is explored several ways. A well-educated family is torn apart over whether to leave Iran. The mother wants to leave; the father does not. Their teenage daughter is caught in the middle, forced to make an agonizing choice: which parent does she want to stay with? Before this, I had always thought that families were united in the desire to migrate. This film clued me into the devastating struggles families go through trying to reach consensus around the momentous decision to uproot the family and possibly never again see family members left behind. A chief reason the man does not want to leave is that he cannot leave his father alone. The divisions inside a poor family are also explored. Here it surrounds whether a married woman should work outside the home. This struggle has religious overtones as well. "A Separation" is uncommonly rich. Its weakness is that it does become tedious at times. There are endless scenes in make-shift courtrooms, where witnesses bicker with each other. The camera work is extremely pedestrian. Farhadi seems to be of the mind that the director's hand should be invisible. He should just set up the camera, point it toward the actors, and turn it on. This approach to filmmaking is risky. Sometimes a flat style is paradoxically exhilarating. But more often it leads to a dull cinematic experience for the audience. Unfortunately, this happened too often during the film, at least for me. But still, there's no denying the depth and uniqueness of "A Separation." I'm delighted that it has become an art-house sensation in America. I also look forward to following Asghar Farhadi's career with more care. (This is the fifth film he has directed but the first I've seen or even heard of.)

• c0up  

  
  'A Separation'. Perfect gut-wrenching human drama and emotion brought out by STELLAR all-round performances. I may have been a tad over zealous in my 'Super 8' review, but the cast of 'A Separation' well and truly are the best ensemble cast I've… More
  'A Separation'. Perfect gut-wrenching human drama and emotion brought out by STELLAR all-round performances. I may have been a tad over zealous in my 'Super 8' review, but the cast of 'A Separation' well and truly are the best ensemble cast I've seen of this year. The political and social aspects of Iranian culture were at the forefront of every decision, and the script, complex, but grounded in realism. I laughed, felt infuriated, ultimately deeply saddened, and loved every minute of it.

• Arash X

  
  Better than the overrated About Elly but still overrated, The film is quite good but totally forgettable & when I think about it I just come up with a "so what?" Farhadi tries so hard to depict a grey situation with grey characters & the problem is he tries so hard… More
  Better than the overrated About Elly but still overrated, The film is quite good but totally forgettable & when I think about it I just come up with a "so what?" Farhadi tries so hard to depict a grey situation with grey characters & the problem is he tries so hard & uses so much logic, The film has the brains but not any heart which in this sort of dramas will lead into a forgettable film, Everyone overpraising this shows the horrible situation our cinema has today, I recently watched a film named "Saadat abad" with a similar theme & that was really better than this & Farhadi's other films but unfortunately he has some sort of fanbase that will worship anything he makes and considering that the oscars is hilariously ridiculous I wouldn't be surprised to see this among the final candidates or even win the award lol, but all that being said this can be considered a good film & nothing more and I don't regret watching it but definitely not my type of film

• Alireza M

  
  One of the best movies of Iran's cinema in recent years from visionary director Asghar Farhadi. like all of his movies ,he was successful in portraying Tehran as a city which life in there is based on tension,stress and chaos. Events and lives are chained to each other and leaves… More
  One of the best movies of Iran's cinema in recent years from visionary director Asghar Farhadi. like all of his movies ,he was successful in portraying Tehran as a city which life in there is based on tension,stress and chaos. Events and lives are chained to each other and leaves a small space for breathing. But in my opinion separation is one step back in comparison with About Elly ,for many reasons .First because director reused themes and materials of his last movies. A Separation is loaded with too obvious moral content unlike About Elly which moral challenges were subtle. Also leaving or staying in Iran which seemed to be the only reason for Nader and Simin's separation didn't seem convincing.

• Carlos M

  
  An intriguing drama that is quite compelling and full of nuances, presenting many unexpected twists in a story where all of the characters have solid reasons for their actions, which makes it so difficult for us to judge them for what they do. A fascinating film that should certainly… More
  An intriguing drama that is quite compelling and full of nuances, presenting many unexpected twists in a story where all of the characters have solid reasons for their actions, which makes it so difficult for us to judge them for what they do. A fascinating film that should certainly grow on you after more viewings.

• Mike N

  
  Just really strong, guys. It's largely an unimpeachable drama that seems naturalistically captures so many strongly-drawn characters in conversations that feel incredibly grounded, consequences that feel entirely plausible, and emotions that are thoroughly universal. Simin wants… More
  Just really strong, guys. It's largely an unimpeachable drama that seems naturalistically captures so many strongly-drawn characters in conversations that feel incredibly grounded, consequences that feel entirely plausible, and emotions that are thoroughly universal. Simin wants to divorce her husband of 14 years, Nader, ostensibly for his refusal to leave Iran and his ailing (Alzheimer's) father at home, and take their 11-year old daughter, Termeh, with her. They separate until they can finalize the divorce, but this activates a sequence of events that reveals director Asghar Farhadi's acute commentaries on marriage, gender roles, class, justice, and a devastating look at the real victims in the disputes of adults. Termeh has the right combination of naivete and intelligence for a studious, sensitive daughter, bringing emotion to her logical and moral observation of the traumatic drama before her, noting her parents both representing valid, strong approaches to solving their predicament. This reinforces the film's interest in showing not just strong, though flawed male characters fighting for their version of justice, but a careful acknowledgment that smart, driven women have tremendous influence over the eventual outcome of the central dilemma. Farhadi scripts in layers of plot that the film serpentinely explores, showing us Westerners a convincing look at Iranian culture and the religious and moral foundation by which the characters of the film attempt, and sometimes struggle, to consistently live by. As such, A Separation has tremendous sympathy for every character (even the wildcard, the husband of the caretaker of Nader's father), leaving nobody out to be an obvious villian in the end, but merely the consequences of the stubbornness and pride of the adults in the film. A shared glance between two children of disputing families late in the film is a compelling testimony to where this film has taken the viewer. It's not a film of powerhouse moments, but one that, upon the inevitable thoughtful post-viewing ruminations, becomes a powerful experience. So yeah, it basically lived up to the hype.

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