Night at the Movies: “A Separation”

By Jeremy Scott

San Diego Informer

Nothing about life is cut and dry and things get exponentially more complicated when our lives are intertwined with someone else’s, as in marriage, especially with children.

In “A Separation” this is just the case. Husband and wife Nader and Simin have a fourteen year-old daughter and opposite opinions on whether or not to raise her in the oppressive social climate of Iran. Because of Simin’s departure from the household, they are forced to hire on a new woman to take care of Nader’s senile father. Sounds innocent enough, right? Well, things get…complicated.

Their separation is the catalyst for a series of downward-spiraling events that make up the film’s heart-rending plot. Nothing about this film is contrived or exaggerated and it’s easy to sympathize with
every character because their flaws are endearingly human. Writer/ director Asghar Farhadi has woven a tragic tale with subtlety and grace. There are no good guys or bad guys. There are no heroes or villains. There are just real human beings caught up in an unfortunate scenario where no one comes out on top.

The subjectivity of truth and what factors play a part in shaping our interpretation of it are central to the film’s theme. The seemingly innocent half-truths and surreptitious motives that are weaved into the fabric of our everyday lives are exploited in full effect here. It will leave you taking a hard look at yourself and forces you to examine your own values. If all of this sounds a bit too much for you, maybe you should check out “Hugo” instead.