Two-Movie Tuesday: Past Leaves

The winds of life often blow us about and around and into each other in ways we do not expect.

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Past Lives (2023)

A curious examination of time, both in its decades-long story and in how it tells it, with the moments it chooses to linger on (so much eye contact) and the swathes of life it chooses to move through quickly (Nora’s childhood) or skip entirely (her first years of marriage), making the characters easier to connect with upon reflection than in some of the movie's moments. Lots to ponder about culture, choice, and perspective within relationships. Gorgeously shot and scored. Was one scene too long.

7

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Fallen Leaves (2023)

Two lives like leaves just barely hanging on in a timeless concrete capitalist world (the niche slice of blue collar life snapshots, beautifully filmed, are endlessly compelling), subject to the winds of chance, yes (see the lost number), but also with the real power of choice (see her kicking him out, him kicking his addiction). Life can hit you like a train but quirky friends, cute dogs, and music that speaks (to) what your soul is feeling (see the emo pop duo at the bar) offer winks of hope.

9

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Here’s to letting go and embracing the breeze.