FORUSHANDE [2016]

aka The Salesman

Asghar Farhadi, acclaimed director of A Seperation, explores strained relationships in the low-key thriller The Salesman.
After being violently assaulted in her own new home, a stage actor's husband is more determined to find the assailant rather than deal with his traumatized partner's problems upfront.
Reflecting themes of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman, the film unravels it's mysteries in a simple but enticing pace that is complimented with the wonderful performances from Farhadi regular Shahab Hosseini & Taraneh Alidoosti.  It's an absolute wonder to watch the relationship slowly crumble before our eyes, occasionally more than we initially think it has.  It's not Farhadi's best work but it's certainly still a film well worth recommending for it's intellectual and emotional precise storytelling.  

4 cracks in the wall out of 5

LE PASSE [2013]

aka The Past

Asghar Farhadi, writer/director of Jodaeiye Nader az Simin, tells a poignant story of family relationships both broken and breaking in the French/Iranian drama-mystery Le Passé.

One of the most cleverly structured screenplays of the year allows each actor to fully inhabit their roles with haunting realism and stunning subtly that you can't stop watching.  It starts out as an absorbing character piece that never once loses your interest and slowly evolves into a mysterious drama that bounces back and forth but never aggressive enough to break the perfect mood.  

I fail to find a flaw in this film and look forward to visiting it again in the very near future.

5 paint allergies out of 5