Why 'Past Lives' Is One of The Best Films of 2023 (with Brooke Obie)
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- Опубліковано 4 тра 2024
- David talks with Brooke Obie about Celine Song's brilliant film, 'Past Lives,' which is out in theaters right now.
Read David's interview with Celine Song: www.decodingeverything.com/p/...
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Read Brooke at The Grio: thegrio.com/author/brooke-obie/
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#pastlives #a24 #moviereview - Фільми й анімація
I don’t think Arthur was underwritten, he had so much depth with jealousy but also love but also fear and insecurity, but also trust and tenderness and understanding and empathy.
Like I don’t think he should be written like a lead or a focus, because this isnt his story at all.
No men with self respect would let their wife out alone with a romantic rival.
@@willyhwang1059Look up "toxic masculinity" please
@@willyhwang1059 theoretically they were never romantic prior to that. But yes I agree with the post below, what are you going to do? put her on a leash?
@@stevenponte6655 that idiot has been all over videos about this movie spouting a bunch of manosphere bullshit lol it's pathetic (and pathetic that I realize what they're doing because I just sit here listening to reviews of the film, but at least I don't have a weird male ego superiority complex.)
Just saw the film. I don't know if this is intentional. Or maybe it's just me, but I like when Hae Sung finally sees Nora in New York, he wears his backpack like a child would, two straps. When Nora walks, she really looks like an adult. While he kinda looked like a child which is how he always imagine his idilic times with Nora. Just a thought.
Hae Sung looking like a child is intentional according to the director. She mentioned it on the anatomy of a scene for the new york times.
Ditto ^
@@japhethespia7578thanks
Good observation
When Nora finally cried in Author's arms, it was yet another transition from 1) Nora cries easily, Hae Sung silently watched, to 2) Nora no longer cries because no one cares, to 3) Nora bottles up her emotions until she can turn to Author, who waits until she is ready, and holds her while she cries.
The "see you then" in the final scene broke me. Shattered me completely. I loved the breakdown of Nora's crying. So amazing
Hi... I loved the movie as well. Especially last scene is....
Please use "Spoiler Alert" before many of them read your comment.
I totally agree with Brooke on the interpretation on why Nora decided to stop the contact when they were in college (min 9.15) and I was surprised that it was not obvious for all the viewers like David
I really enjoyed this discussion. I just watched the film and it hit me on so many levels. I still feel she cries at the end because she thought that by being with Hae Sung, she could have been her most authentic self. i.e No Young, and not this created character of Nora. Being an immigrant myself I really felt that "He's so Korean" conversation she had with Arthur. Its almost like she was in denial. She even reverts back to her childhood mannerisms in the final scene, and then she's saying goodbye to the "real" her, and is grieving that she is going back to being Nora from the East Village.
I’m on the same page as David with his observations and thoughts. This film left me aching in my heart. It still aches..
This was an interesting discussion of the film Past Lives. It truly was a beautiful and realistic film which many of us can relate to.
Wonderful breakdown of this beautiful movie, and I really appreciated Brooke's insight on Hae Sung not being proactive enough and Nora's response.
Re. the end, I think both of you are right, but in the moment I saw Nora crying it felt to me like it had taken a tremendous effort for her to be strong and not do something she would regret for herself, or hurt her husband, and I felt like she had barely kept things together. And now that Hae Sung left and she arrived home, the dam broke and she collapsed in relief at not having to do that anymore. My reading of it and the one astutely offered by you both aren't mutually exclusive I don't think.
But Past Lives is definitely my film of the year thus far, and it's going to take a lot to knock it off that lofty perch. It's one of the best films I've seen in years.
Agree with Brooke when she said Nora felt Hae Sung didn't put the effort so she decided to take a break from him. A good example of how important it is to get the female perspective. Love your thoughts about Nora's relationship with Arthur. Yes to everything both of you said about that. 😂
Having been in the long distance relationship (1000s of miles away) I first thought that. But then I was in my early 30s and had the means to get on a flight at the drop of a hat. Hae Sung is at uni, probably no money. Going to China from Korea is like getting a Greyhound across state. And that too NYC. I dont know. Not easy.
Two-thirds of the way through the movie, the strains of this song began playing in my mind....
🎶
"What am I supposed to do
When I want you in my world
How can I want you for myself
When I'm already someone's girl
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
No hard feelings
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
I'm gon' be there
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
Maybe we'll be butterflies
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
That sounds so divine
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
I guess I will now
I guess I'll see you next lifetime
Wait, wait a little while...."
-NEXT LIFETIME, Erykah Badu
When Nora answer that she wouldn't missed her rehearsals for a guy it's clearly a banter. I think it means to illustrate how closed off were Nora's emotions. And only once she cried in Arthur's arms she released all of it. Hae Sung gave her the closure and made her grow by exploring the question 'what if'. Still she decided to stay. Maybe she wasn't reassuring enough towards Arthur but maybe her honesty and choosing values over fleeting emotions was the best reassurance she was able to give with her limited repressed emotional expression back then. Maybe it's a story about healing after a loss (of Korean identity and ex love). And Arthur trusted her enough and gave her the space to heal.
The best discussion about this on the net, printed or otherwise.
wow! Brook's point about being loved well throughout your life and that being "enough" really hit the mark. Very astute. I agree that Nora is a very pragmatic character.
The conclusion from Brook is very uplifting. Wish you all, folks to be able to change your life for the better at any given time. Great conversation guys, wish it was longer.
28:10 I just listened to a Q&A with the director and she did bring that up-yes, the wind blowing her skirt back to him was intentional.
Great conversation for a great film. This one did a number on me.
I haven't watched it yet...however, just tapping into another dimension of our pastlife connections is definitely so real! It definitely opens up a deep sense of awareness and curiosity about our lived experiences and connections with others! Personally, felt this phenomenon and on that journey myself! Looking forward to watching it! ❤
Beautiful movie.
I imagine this scene stare down as them imagining their lives together for a final time.
absolutely
This movie moved me like no other. Best movie I have ever seen. I still tear up when I think of the ending❤
thanks so much for this absolute gem of a discussion, esp. brooke, i wish i had your brain😅
I really liked your opinion about the staircase and forward projecting. You guys are smart! You made me enjoy the film more.
I really loved this conversation. ❤ Love the male and female observations, classic! Loved it!😍
can’t wait to see it!
Omg this movie is a masterpiece. It is truly beautiful and stays with you afterwards. ❤️
This movies partly reminds me of movie ‘one day’. Good movie,glad I decided to see it. A lot to take in, I kinda think movie itself its kinda metaphor for our own dream when we were kids, and realization of unachieved childhood dream that we haven’t let go. It stays in our unconscious self even though we think we move on
Great discussion on what will likely be the best movie of 2023. I think it's worth it to mention that while the title Past Lives definitely refers to the idea of Inyun, it could also be a nod to Na Young's life (Nora's original Korean name) versus Nora's life. They mention several times how Na Young cried all the time and we see her cry at the beginning of the movie. However, if I'm not mistaken, we never see Nora cry as an adult until the very end of the movie - perhaps a regression to her past life as Na Young. I agree with both of you that Nora cries because she feels sadness, guilt, regret, etc. but also I think she has, for a moment, become Na Young again. David, you talked about how interesting it was to see how the couple as children couldn't really process the gravity of them saying goodbye to each other - at the end of the film we see what we might think is a more appropriate/adult reaction to them leaving each other as adults. Thanks for posting this discussion - it made me truly think more deeply about all the themes and intentions of this movie.
My audience didn’t move and the lights didn’t go on for the entire ending credit sequence because no one really felt it was ending between them.
love knows know bounds it goes on forever, no matter who we end up choosing to spend our life with. In fact, studies show that 77% of people do not marry the love of their life. Most people get married more often than not when they are ready. It's sad in a way. I sometimes wonder if it had something to do with preserving a love that doesn't age in some way.
This was so great. Thanks
I'm very happy to hear your review and analysis of the movie. I loved it, but hearing you two talk about it gave me more. Past Lives is definitely one of my favorite movies this year, maybe my top favorite.
There is a meaning to why the movie chose to skip every 12 years. In the Chinese zodiac, the first year of fate is reached at age 12, when a person leaves childhood and starts to become an adult.
Interesting, thanks for sharing.
There is a great story of a young boy, 9/11 and the reincarnation of a New York City fire lieutenant who perished in The North Tower. The full story as told by the boy's mother on (and off) a popular Reincarnation Forum starting in 2007 up to the present day. The books full title, Fire in the Soul: Reincarnation from Antietam to Ground Zero. The author is Jeffrey Keene a retired Asst. Fire Chief.
For me, I dont really see the love the characters have, and it especially pulls me out knowing that they haven't gotten in touch ever since they stopped talking on Skype, and they weren't even dating back then. It's definitely hard to believe that these 2 people would reconnect under these circumstances, and it surprised me to know that this is an autobiography.
The movie talks about the romanticising of ideas, Hae Sung is in love with the Nora that existed 12 years ago, and Nora is in love with the story of what could've been. Personally, I think the best written character is Arthur. It's interesting that both Nora and Arthur are novelists, who are romantics, and the movie does really well exploring Arthur's insecurity to contrast their boring love story with this great childhood lover idea.
I also don't agree your take that all these characters are healthy. Hae Sung chose to make this trip right before getting married, fully expecting for something (since he didnt know that Nora's husband consented to it). And like David said, Nora has done a terrible job reaffirming his husband, and giving him the confidence he needed. Arthur's love really shown through, being super understanding and supportive despite having so much to risk.
Underrated comment. Love your thoughts, couldn't say it better.
You don't know. You don't know. Such things exist. I am living testament to this.
I agree .. I think in order to make their "Crush" credible, there needed to be a scene of the kids between playing in the park and till they are in the Car sleeping with hands held. Its almost .. like .. how did you suddenly go from playing in the park to holding hands ?? seems a like a scene was needed where they show their crush or love. that said, the movie still worked for me, but it could have been a little better ...
Interesting discussion. I would definitely like an director's commentary when it is released in physical media.
She has video interviews out now. I love this film and I cannot wait to see what she does next.
Absolutely loved it I’m an immigrant obviously I’m not Korean this is a master piece touching I will remember it for a long time thank you ♥️🦋
Great conversation. ALso side note: I love Brooke's apartment so pretty :p
31:16 that scene was reminiscent of an earlier scene when they went on a date as children
The word Inyun is used in everyday Korean in a more casual way like we use the word "fate" in English. It rarely carries the Buddhist notion of past lives
Can you interpret a movie differently from the director's point of view? Here is what Celine Song said about the ending. "That walk is about the grief for the little girl that she never got to grieve. It’s not about, ‘oh my God, I wish I went with Hae Sung,’ it’s more about the girl.”
I find your interpretation more compelling than the director's.
Yeah, it's possible. That's the beauty of it. Celine Song may have written it that way but viewers would have different interpretations based on their experiences too. I liked Brooke's interpretation too. Like for me, Nora was so on the verge, the arrival of the Uber just stopped her. But yeah, that end sequence will hit differently for people.
Movie is great on many levels, fate, in-yun, self-reflection. However for most of the movie I can't help but think in the back of my mind how unrealistic this is for two 12 year olds to have this deep of a relationship that is more or less empty for 24 years until the final closure. It doesn't ruin the movie though, and it's relatable to many in similar ways.
Besides in-yun as a core theme, I think a key sub-plot is Nora letting go of her past, more than letting go of Hae Sung. It's a little painful to experience Hae Sung still giving this a shot and not letting go years ago, but to be fair, Nora is also perhaps holding on a little too much as well in evidence of how she dodges Arthur's questions and continues on these dates. Still, it's a refreshing amount of maturity for a film and worthy of all the praise it's getting.
I moved several times growing up and I was connected to friends, lost during times of no social media. I can relate deeply. It reminds me of how life ebbs and flows and how memories linger...sometimes we do things about it and sometimes we don't for so many reasons.
It is possible for 12 years to develop a special bond in their childhood. I’ve witnessed children as young as 10 years old’s friendship separated and reunited in their 20s in a happy marriage.
Hey Dave, you mentioned that you interviewed Celine Song, is that coming to UA-cam or getting posted in podcast form somewhere? Missing Culturally Relevant these days!
He posted it on his Decoding Everything Substack newsletter
Brooke: “You know”
The way movies should be made 🦋🙏I believe in past lives totally reincarnation it’s real
Yes, I believe in fate. I have had a wild 3 days and this film came at the exact time when I am struggling with a similar scenario. The timing of seeing the film is fate.
I was rooting for Hae-sung to get stoopid drunk and then change flights to NYC instead of China but nope he did drop the ball
He definitely did, so many times. He also started to write an email to her but didn't send it. Like, come on, dude.
11:33 She visited South Korea *with her husband*. That's why Hae Sung didn't reply to her email. He didn't "drop the ball" here.
But their mean visiting Nora when they were 24. She didn't know Arthur then.
@@hdshjslisten around 10 seconds before and after the timestamp. Nora only visited South Korea after she married.
29:18 no That is not true. That wasn't a walk of shame. It was more like the final culmination and release of the what ifs. Probably the last time she sees haesung
I don't think haesang was not proactive is true. He was actively trying to find her. But if he sacrificed his dreams for nora that would be wrong to both of them
Here’s something interesting, Celine Song is the sister of my brother’s NYU professor when he was there a few years back. She’s a game designer. Their father was also a filmmaker, who made a movie with Choi-Minh Sik years before OLDBOY became popular!
Celine Song’s real husband, Justin Kuritzkes, wrote the screenplay for Zendaya’s upcoming film, “CHALLENGERS.” And what happens in it?? 🤣🤣🤣🤣🤣
There’s a 3some with Zendaya and 2 guys!!!!!!!!! Makes you wonder what REALLY happened after “PAST LIVES” 🤣🤣🤣🤣😈
Maybe he processes the emotions differently. Artistic creation is not literal.
Would that be her sister in the film (not the actor of course)?
he is not underwritten. he is just raw.
Did anyone think she became self indulgent ? would a husband or wife sit beside (with her/him back to him/her) their spouse whilst they are talking to a childhood sweetheart in a different language. Sat on a bar stool. Her husband was passive.
Unfortunately we can't force anyone to love us. I feel you, my man. I tried that. He could also get redpilled and stonewall her or threaten her. Instead he decided to trust her wedding vow. To each their own.
I think it is a matter of respect. If you truly love your partner and you believe they love you, it should be safe. It is authentic and an act of love in itself. One day I got a call that an ex of mine was getting married, I told my husband and I broke down crying. He hugged me and consoled me. It wasn't long and we discussed it much like the film. I felt more love for my partner because he supported my feelings in this moment. It only lasted 5 minutes and a 5 minute talk. It was not that I wanted to be with that other person. Sometimes it is that we are losing a bit our story, the part of something we identify that is no longer but to add, may never be. I think of it as a mini death. You may never be able to be that free person to talk with them even if they wanted to again. Some loves are also friends as in the film.
Letting go of ego, not saying this of you...just in general is helpful. Our ego protects us from what we deem harmful. She included him and the writer/director did state in an interview that the awkwardness was set up that way. In fact, the male actors did not meet until the day they filmed meeting so it would be more authentic.
@@ItsElle760 Excellent insight. Yes.....
Does anyone else thinks of Hae Sung as selfish and immature emotionally? For me he seems like a big spoiled child when he visits Nora in NY. While Nora did a good work of leaving the past behind and opening her heart to new life and Arthur. I deeply wish there was a last scene showing Hae Sung's fiance abandoned is China, not knowing does Hae Sung gathers money for their wedding/apartment and missing him. It was so convenient to cut her out.
And another prove that he is selfish leaving yet another 'door' (another human's heart) opened and causing suffering of three people, just to excuse his egoistical whims. He was selfish at 24 by cutting Nora out, by not choosing her after he had searched for her, and is selfish now, cutting out his fiance. This guy made me angry. Nora also, but she had a good character journey and manage to redeem herself in the end by telling apart the fantasy from real thing she has with Arthur.
Brooke is a little angry and it’s affecting with her reading of the film
This movie reeks of weak man energy
Chicken Hae Shung
Emasculated Arthur
This leaves Bora confused and frustrated
Don’t let I Yun dictate your fate
Make your own I Yun
Typical Hollywood romance movie - lots of travail in between but in the end true love prevails. Too much made out of nothing much.
I just watched the movie because all the hype, Sorry but I found this movie to be extremely boring, And I read reviews about the slow pacing but I never thought it would be as slow as it was.
You: No guns?! Why didn’t the movie end in a threesome?!