Past Lives: A melting candle of love.

Unrequited love is one of the most enduring and compelling concepts in films. It's a theme that has been dealt with in numerous films, with each presenting its own distinct perspective on the sorrow, desire, and beauty of unfulfilled love. One of the most fascinating characteristics of unrequited love is its capacity to elicit a strong sensation of "What if?" What if things had gone differently? What if feelings were expressed? What if the timing had been correct? All of these questions were gracefully portrayed in Past Lives (2023)---an Oscar nominated film directed by Celine Song.

The film follows Na Young (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), childhood friends in South Korea who admired one another. Na Young parents' decision to go to Canada coincides with the beginning of their relationship. The two childhood sweet-hearts fall apart as their lives in two different countries progress. Twelve years later, in New York City, Na Young, now known as Nora, is an aspiring playwright. Meanwhile, engineering student Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) is back in Seoul and hasn't stopped thinking about his childhood love. Facebook enables the two to reunite, and before long, time zones notwithstanding, their lives revolve around frequent Skype conversations. But the video calls end coming in since neither of them appears ready to abandon their early jobs.

Another 12 years pass before they meet again, and in that time, Nora has settled in New York, where she is happily married to Arthur (John Magaro), a writer much like herself. Hae Sung unexpectedly announces his forthcoming trip to New York City, paving the way for a potentially life-changing reunion. Nora and Hae Sung had few meetings together. They had bittersweet trips to prominent New York sights such as the Brooklyn Bridge and a ferry ride around the Statue of Liberty representing their immigrant stories. Their combination of exploring the city and analyzing their emotions may draw parallels with Richard Linklater's Before trilogy, which is famed for its thoughtful, dialogue-driven depiction of love across time and distance.

As the two past lovers rekindle their feelings for one another, it felt like a slow-melting candle. The film curated a lot of non verbal cues and expressions that are difficult to utter by words. Nora and Hae Sung as they glance at each other invokes a sense of guilt and pity. Given their current situation where Nora is already married, both of them have to close their unfinished childhood love stories. With the existence of Arthur, it’s hard for you to root for Nora and Hae Sung to reconcile their innocent relationship that they had years ago. While the scenes exhibit a series of romantic shots, it’s agonizing to watch that these main characters have to suppress their natural romantic expressions due to their personal lives that won’t allow them to pursue their feelings.

This directorial debut film by Celine Song was able to captivate our hearts by making us cling to our past and for pursuing the “What-if’s” of our romantic dreams of our lives. She managed to weave the fabrics of emotions and turn it into a cinematic depiction of a slow-burning narrative of unrequited love and sincere romance. It speaks volume to the significance of time and distance as a crucial consideration of flourishing relationships. Even though love transcends beyond boundaries, we cannot keep the flame in loving someone all throughout our love with just holding on to our memories and treasured time that once we had.

As the film walks through us as we try to answer our “What-ifs” it does not disregard the fact that love has limitations. Accepting fate and current situations does not ignore the relationship that was once shared and enjoyed by the characters. It allowed us as an audience to see the perspectives of the lover, the dreamer, and a husband who prompted further exploration into the concept of belonging. All of these were elegantly played by the actors who tremendously shined on each of their character spotlight. The nuances and artistic portrayal transpire beyond the screen and draw their audiences to feel the emotions that they have.

The film's atmosphere is imbued with a serene and youthful energy, complemented by its framing and cinematography, which skillfully capture the essence of the characters' romantic encounters. The tranquil scoring further enhances the mood, enveloping each scene in a comforting warmth. Additionally, the film's choice of locations adeptly weaves in immigrant narratives, taking viewers on a tour of famous landmarks that serve as poignant backdrops to the unfolding story. Also, the slow pace draws viewers in, as they find themselves in the middle of dramatic moments in which the characters express the genuine feeling of being in love.

Past Lives (2023) richly deserves its acclaim from prestigious award bodies like the Golden Globes and The Academy Awards. Nominated for Best Picture and Best Original Screenplay, the film's compelling narrative and thoughtful execution shine brightly. Its exploration of unrequited love, growth, and the passage of time is masterfully crafted, drawing viewers into a deeply moving and relatable story. A true gem that should not be missed, this film is a testament to the power of storytelling in cinema.