Past Lives (2023)

Director/Producer/Writer Celine Song's debut film is a real peach and promises positive things to come from her. It stars Greta Lee and Teo Yoo as Nora Moon and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood sweethearts, who are separated after Nora's family emigrated from South Korea to the USA.

Twelve years later, they seek each other out online and chat on Skype. The chemistry is immediately apparent but neither can change their respective situations - and conclude that it would be less frustrating for them both if they ceased their late-night video chats and concentrated on their own lives, careers and ambitions. She's a fledgling writer and he, training to be an engineer.

Another twelve years pass by, she is now married and he’s dissatisfied with any relationship he's in, knowing that he wants to be with her. He makes contact. He's going to get on a plane and travel to New York to see her. She is completely honest with her husband about Hae Sung, their past and what has happened.

The rest of the film is about the visit, the anxiety leading up to the reuniting, the impact of that on both their lives, the awkwardness because he can't speak hardly any English and Nora's husband, no Korean - and the latter's natural concern and paranoia surrounding the visit, half-expecting Nora to want out of what they have so as to be with him. Reminded me of the similar dilemma facing real people's lives towards the end of Cast Away (2000).

There's a love story at the heart of this engaging drama. The writing is smart and clever, the two leads carry it off beautifully and we get a good amount of sight-seeing in both Korea and New York via nicely crafted cinematography. In fact, the photography is worthy of note as the director is not afraid to linger - longer and longer - on the faces and expressions depicting the dilemma, often in silence between the three characters, creating a set of intensely moving scenes. It's not cheap tear-jerking stuff though - rather measured and intelligent.

We also learn a lot about their respective cultures and how Nora has adapted to life in the West, whilst the visiting childhood sweetheart is clearly like a fish out of water. There are parallels drawn between her freedom in the West against, even in South Korea, the expectation, for example, that Hae Sung undertakes National Service - and cultural differences in terms of family/societal expectations and the value of people, family, possessions, wealth and career. It's a beautifully executed film and well worth a watch.