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Past Lives (2023)

2023 • 1h 46m • Drama, Romance • PG-13
On October 2, 2026
#2551▼ 180
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CinemaSerf on Past Lives

7/10 · Oct 22, 2023

"Na Young," now portrayed as "Nora" by Greta Lee, and her close friend "Hae Sung," played by Leem Seung-min, were inseparable throughout their school years, sharing everything until Na Young’s family relocated to Canada. Hae Sung was noticeably upset by this departure, struggling to grasp the situation. Following a period of time, she learns that he had attempted to reach out previously, prompting her to reconnect with him. Nora is now married to "Arthur" (John Magaro) and living in New York City; as their online conversations continue, they slowly rekindle their friendship, making a trip from Korea to the United States seem like a logical progression. The film then unfolds through a series of carefully arranged flashbacks that celebrate the simplicity and purity of their childhood while also highlighting how much they have changed—even though the core connection she shares with both him and her husband remains strong, albeit in different ways. There's an element of longing and some regret present, but the movie also presents a fairly hopeful perspective on where their lives currently stand and what lies ahead for them. The performances aren’t particularly remarkable, although Magaro does a commendable job as the awkward third party. His limited Korean proficiency often leaves him in a state of polite discomfort during conversations with their visitor. Several films recently explore themes of reconnection between people separated by migration, especially concerning Southeast Asia's recovery from post-war/French colonial influences—and this one stands out as being quite insightful and genuine. It also incorporates moments of humor and is definitely worth watching.

Source on TMDB