Which movie do you think deserves the Oscar for Best Picture next Sunday (3/10)? ( A full list of nominations here.)
We have an ambitious viewing program to watch several that we’ve not yet seen (or that were just released) over the next ten days, but I want to make a heartfelt plug for “Past Lives,” a quiet, resonant movie written and directed by Celine Song about the people we meet in life, and the connections we make or miss with them. The story asks: can we reclaim the lost ones, and at what costs? The movie’s grappling with the age-old tango between fate and coincidence is refreshingly modern, especially woven as it is into an immigrant story: how can Nora (nee Na Young) choose between a childhood friend-turned-long-distance-confidante, with his ties to their hometown of Seoul, and someone she has learned to love almost out of convenience, or happenstance (she meets her husband at an artist’s retreat, and they advance their wedding date in order to procure her green card)? And is she choosing, anyway? Or is her romantic arrangement pre-ordained? The movie makes much of the Korean concept of “In-Yun,” or the notion that in our incarnations past and future, we have encountered and will encounter certain special people to whom we will be drawn over and over again. Midway through the film, Nora rejects the concept as a romanticization, but Hae Sung’s whole-hearted embrace of “In-Yun” as an explanation for why they cannot be together lodges firm at the other end of the line.
I could not take my eyes off of Teo Yoo (Hae Sung), who acts beautifully with his eyes, and with his body, too. The subtlest movement of his hands — say, the pushing of a suitcase to his side, or their stiff placement at his sides — communicates volumes. I cannot believe he was not nominated for Best Actor. It’s not that I don’t appreciate a Cillian Murphy or a Paul Giamatti, but this was a movie of intimate, artful scale, without much apparatus around its quiet script, and he shone brightly and believably in its center. On this point: the pace is meaningfully slow, and the dialogue dances effortlessly between the convincingly extemporary and the profound. I think it is heartily deserving of its Oscar nomination, though it is difficult to imagine it squaring off against the gargantuan proportions of an “Oppenheimer” or “Barbie.” For this reason, I doubt it will win, but I wish it would. Perhaps Song will win for best screenplay? (I enjoyed “The Holdovers,” which is somewhat similar in scale (dialed in on the dynamics of a relationship) and also nominated for best screenplay, but I find no contest comparing the two on the merits of craft and theme: “Past Lives” is melodic and full-bodied in ways “The Holdovers” is not.)
Of course, reflecting on “Past Lives,” I find yet another instance of Gretel and her breadcrumbs: in one review of “Past Lives,” film critic David Ehrlich draws a connection between Celine Song and Richard Linklater, writing: “On paper, “Past Lives” might sound like a diasporic riff on a Richard Linklater romance — one that condenses the entire “Before” trilogy into the span of a single film. In practice, however, this gossamer-soft love story almost entirely forgoes any sort of “Baby, you are gonna miss that plane” dramatics in favor of teasing out some more ineffable truths about the way that people find themselves with (and through) each other.” Ehrlich concludes: “It’s a movie less interested in tempting its heroine with “the one who got away” than it is in allowing her to reconcile with the version of herself he kept as a souvenir when she left.” Perfectly put, but of course, I would have lacked all reference points were it not for you Magpies, who upvoted the Linklater “Before” trilogy in my recent request for under-the-radar romantic comedies (see the full crowd-sourced list here). Astounding, how often it is that we find the exact words, references, texts we need at the exact right moment. I continue to live by asterism, a realization that feels perfectly at home within the hazy after-math of “Past Lives.”
Please watch!
And circle back to share your thoughts.
What are your bets for the Oscars?
Post Scripts.
+It’s OK if you don’t have the answers.
+If you’re debating jumping into something, take a page out of my Dad’s book: “You’re gonna love it.“
Let’s Go Shopping.
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+This $110 skirt looks just like SEA. I’m digging the idea of styling a full white skirt a la Doen, who was running this chic ad I can no longer find of a gal wearing the skirt with a gray sweatshirt like this. You can see me in a white circle skirt from Staud here, too — looks for less here and here.
+If you’re thinking about a low-key Oscars party at home, may I put in a plug for truffle popcorn, Kolsvart candy, and champagne? Theater snacks, gussied up!
+This dress sold out once but was restocked. She’s perfect for spring — very flattering. Runs TTS.
+This striped button-back top is adorable as a part of the matching set, or with white pants/jeans. Also love J. Crew’s just-launched Quinn ballet flat – perfect for those of us curious about the mesh trend but not willing to go all the way.
+As the thaw sets in, I have to mention that I own this top in several patterns, and it’s on sale for 50% in several right now (of course, I also love the full price options…). SO good to tuck into jeans for those first few milder days of spring. This brand runs really big. You can size down one or two sizes. I also lived in one of their Saffron dresses all last summer, and this cheerful pink floral is 50% off ($119!). Also runs really big, FYI. So easy to toss on and go!
+Fun denim silhouette.
+Tuckernuck re-released its ruffle collar Louise dress in a pretty spring floral. A great way to get the Thierry Colson look for less.
+My most-worn bag last summer. Super roomy and no one else has anything like it. I promise you will be the talk of the town! I already pulled it out for the spring/summer season. I’m wearing woven bags now.
+It was mild enough to wear this rain coat / lightweight jacket yesterday! Such fun colors.
+In the fitness lane, currently eyeing these dry-fit tanks, these Vuori sports bras, and this perfect half-zip. I have the Amazon lookalike for the Lulu half-zip, which I love, and which means I do not need another, but…the color!
+These underwear are a splurge and I only have one pair that I compulsively grab out of the laundry basket as soon as clean, but how fun in the new maritime stripe with the matching tank or bra?!