Darbareye Elly (About Elly) (2008)

85% of users liked it
(603 ratings)

Writer/director Asghar Farhadi offers this revealing look at the Iranian middle class by examining how one simple lie can open up a Pandora's box of problems. In the wake of his failed marriage in Germany, Ahmad (Shahab Hosseini) returns to Tehran. With the holidays approaching, Ahmad's friend… More Writer/director Asghar Farhadi offers this revealing look at the Iranian middle class by examining how one simple lie can open up a Pandora's box of problems. In the wake of his failed marriage in Germany, Ahmad (Shahab Hosseini) returns to Tehran. With the holidays approaching, Ahmad's friend Sepideh (Golshifteh Farahani) organizes a weekend getaway to the Caspian Sea with a group of old college friends. But one member of the group sticks out like a sore thumb: she's a pretty kindergarten teacher named Elly (Taraneh Alidousti), and Sepideh thought she would be a perfect match for Ahmad. In order to rent a spacious beach house for the group to share, Sepideh told the elderly landlady that Ahmad and Elly were newlyweds. But the truth is Elly has never even met Ahmad, and she doesn't share a close bond with the rest of the friends. Strangely enough, on the very first night of the trip Elly naturally endears herself to the tight-knit group. The following day, however, Elly vanishes without a trace, sparking a frantic search that sours the festivities, and revealing the casual deceits that are shared amongst friends. ~ Jason Buchanan, Rovi

Rating, Runtime: Unrated, 1 hr. 59 min.
Directed By: Asghar Farhadi
Written By: Asghar Farhadi
Genres: Drama, Kids & Family, Art House & International

In Theaters: Apr 27, 2009 Wide
Studio: Here Films

Critic Reviews

Tim Brayton, Antagony & Ecstasy
The film's tone is primarily, even exclusively, reflective; observing human behavior simply because humans are interesting.
Amber Wilkinson, Eye for Film
By allowing a slow-build to his drama, Asghar Farhadi ensures we get a feel for the extended family dynamic before wrong-footing the characters and his audience with the suddeness and deftness of a heartbeat.

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Featured Audience Ratings

Carlos M

This wonderful film begins as a simple story that slowly introduces us to the characters and to the details of their vacation together, until we are all suddenly hit by a devastating, overwhelming tragedy that brings about the bitter consequences of many hidden truths and moral… More
This wonderful film begins as a simple story that slowly introduces us to the characters and to the details of their vacation together, until we are all suddenly hit by a devastating, overwhelming tragedy that brings about the bitter consequences of many hidden truths and moral issues.
Daisy M

I was always fascinated by Persian cinema. About Elly was my first movie of this Persian director Farhadi .The movie opened with a simple plot, and ends with much more simplicity.The cast was great, Farhadi did a great job in putting the viewer inside the locations to live with the… More
I was always fascinated by Persian cinema. About Elly was my first movie of this Persian director Farhadi .The movie opened with a simple plot, and ends with much more simplicity.The cast was great, Farhadi did a great job in putting the viewer inside the locations to live with the story. A group of married couples, some with children, went to the North of Iran to have a 3 days vacation.The director showed here clearly the consequences of lies and deceptions. How lies even for inconvenience can lead to unexpected events. Farhadi got the best performances from his actors,specially Golshifteh Farahani who played the role of Sepideh so convincingly.