“I liked you for who you are, and who you are is a person who leaves.” 

There’s something about longing for a what-if scenario that hurts so much. A person you spoke to for a brief period but could never recall or even remember their name. A childhood crush that you had in elementary and middle school, but you never saw that person again for a plethora of reasons. Situations like these have haunted many people (including myself) and made them wonder what would’ve happened if something had sparked with them. These thoughts emerged from my viewing of “Past Lives,” which I saw during a recent screening of the film at the Bud Frank Theatre.

“Past Lives” follows Nora, a woman who emigrated with her family from South Korea to North America as a young girl, leaving behind her life in Seoul – including her childhood sweetheart, a boy named Hae Sung. A little over a decade later, they reconnected through social media.

Poster for “Past Lives” (Contributed/IMDb)

Greta Lee gives a truly outstanding performance as Nora Moon, a playwright for whom Hae Sung has had romantic feelings since she emigrated from South Korea. Lee’s performance is phenomenal, with scenes such as a sequence in the second act of the film in which she and Arthur (her husband) discuss their relationship and Hae Sung.

In his portrayal of Hae Sung, Teo Yoo embodies a lovelorn man who is desperate and longing to see Nora again. There’s something downright tragic about his character, and Yoo conveys that through his performance.

In her directorial debut (along with writing the screenplay for the film), Celine Song tackles themes of longing and identity over two decades. These aspects could be compared to the works of acclaimed filmmaker Wong Kar-wai, especially his film “In the Mood for Love” — a film that is drenched in loneliness.

Shabier Kirchner, the film’s cinematographer, has captured some stunning visuals. For instance, there is an interior shot of Hae Sung at a restaurant in Seoul and a wide shot of the New York City skyline at night. There is another wide shot, this time of Nora and Hae Sung walking together, with the camera slowly zooming in on them — placing these two characters at the center of the frame during this long take.

As for the soundtrack, Christopher Bear and Daniel Rossen have composed a score that complements the film quite well. Two members of the phenomenal indie band Grizzly Bear, Rossen and Bear include ambient-esque and classical-based soundscapes throughout their compositions for the film. This includes pieces such as “Crossing,” “You Gain Something Too” and “Across The Ocean.” 

With “Past Lives,” Celine Song crafted a heartbreaking film with excellent leading performances, stunning cinematography from Shabier Kirchner and a beautifully composed soundtrack.

There’s something that truly hurts about a missed connection. 

“Past Lives” is available to rent and stream on Paramount+ and Showtime.

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