Each year, I see only a handful of movies I’d ever consider unless circumstances warranted it. These are mostly films nominated for several Academy Awards (especially Best Picture) and those consistently recommended by social media influencers I follow. Sometimes I’ll check aggregate scores before deciding. Celine Song’s (Past Lives) Materialists won’t earn any Oscar nominations. It had lukewarm aggregate scores (77% critics, 65% audience on Rotten Tomatoes, 6.2/10 on IMDB, 70 on Metacritic). These two things, combined with a plot that didn’t pique my interest, made me think this movie wouldn’t see the light of day. However, it felt like every movie influencer I follow kept singing its praise, with many in their end-of-year Top 20. It was enough to give it its fair chance.
Category Archives: Celine Song
Past Lives (2023)
The most intimate and tender movie of the first half of 2013 will land on the end-of-year top ten list for many. Past Lives, Celine Song’s feature debut, is a masterclass in storytelling, character development, and the subtle intricacies that subvert themselves in big and small relationships. Past Lives will undoubtedly be recognized during awards season, even with a nontraditional early summer release date.