HCA Gradebook: “Past Lives”

Movie: Past Lives
Plot: Nora and Hae Sung, two deeply connected childhood friends, are wrest apart after Nora’s family emigrates from South Korea. Two decades later, they are reunited in New York for one fateful week as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life, in this heartrending modern romance.
Cast: Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro.
Director: Celine Song
Release Date: June 9, 2023
Studio: A24
Number of Graders: 18
Overall Grade: A

Kevin Jan says, “Past Lives is a tender and achingly beautiful drama that explores the connection between childhood sweethearts and what might have been if they had chosen different paths in life. Celine Song’s debut is confident and assured, and features raw, intimate, and powerful performances from the entire ensemble. Easily one of the best films of 2023.”
Grade: A+

Zoë Rose Bryant says, “Past Lives is a perfect movie. A masterfully melancholic meditation on the lives – and loves – lost or left behind, driven by soulful dialogue, Celine Song’s sensitive direction, and three of the most moving performances you’ll see all year from Greta Lee, Teo Yeo, and John Magaro.”
Grade: A+

Ricky Valero says, “Past Lives is the most honest depiction of dealing with the cards we are dealt and trying to figure out if we are playing the right hands. Celine Song’s screenplay is so profound. Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Margaro deliver top-notch performances—2023’s first masterpiece.”
Grade: A+

Alexander Robinson says, “With all the big summer blockbusters coming out right now, it is important to give attention to some of the smaller indie movies that might get buried. Past Lives is certainly a movie that cannot be missed. It’s a classic slice of life film with characters that feel like real people and situations that anyone can find themselves relating too. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo give fantastic performances and there is never a point in the film where their chemistry feels artificial. Thanks to Celine Song’s clever script and great direction, this movie will have you leaving the theater questioning what would happen had your life played out differently if you stayed in touch with your childhood crush.”
Grade: A+

Josie Meléndez says, “Celine Song knocks it out of the park with her feature-film debut. It is impossible to feel unmoved by such a profound depiction of human connection. It transcends and manifests itself as one of the most emotional pieces that you will most likely view this year. Every single performance in this film–Greta Lee, Teo Yoo, and John Magaro–is outstanding. What a triumphant and heartbreaking look at love, grief, our purpose, and the bonds that tie us together regardless of where we end up.”

Grade: A

Rick Hong says, “Celine Song executes a beautiful script. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo are so believable as old childhood friends and trying to re-connect.”
Grade: A

Anna Miller says, “Past Lives is a devastatingly stunning feature directorial debut by the talented Celine Song. With authentic, heart wrenching performances, an impeccable score and gorgeous visuals, even though it premiered in January of this year, I’m confident it will be one of the best of the year already.”
Grade: A

Michael Lee says, “Past Lives is an elegant understanding of fate, the paths taken and not taken. Song doesn’t romanticize the familiar story of childhood sweethearts reconnecting but rather approaches it in a subtle and quiet way that feels honest and true to life.”
Grade: A

Don Shanahan says, “There is unequivocal merit to this melodramatic arc from Celine Song in her debut feature film. Different measures of hope put a spring in the step of Nora and Hae that is shared outwardly by the actors. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo display pendulums of heartfelt reminiscence and cautious anxiety that swing between the appearances of effortless ease and impossible emulation from the performers, depending on the emotions of the given scenes. You can’t take your eyes off of them no more than they can take their amazed eyes off of each other in-character.”
Grade: A

Jonathan Fujii says, “One of the best movies of the year. Fully realized characters, brilliant screenplay, amazing performances. A soulful look at one’s past and future all while moving the audience to tears.”
Grade: A

Tom O’Brien says, “The film of the year so far, Celine Song’s debut feature is so specifically personal in its tiniest character detail that it becomes universal in its emotional impact. What could have been merely a film about a romantic triangle broadens to take on the role of fate, tradition and serendipity in finding the one person with whom you want to spend the rest of your life. With an assurance behind the camera that belies the fact that we’re watching a first film, Song weaves her simple story in such an enthralling way that we leave the theater mesmerized.”
Grade: A

Meredith Loftus says, “A beautiful first feature from Celine Song. Greta Lee and Teo Yoo will devastate you from the smallest of glances. Past Lives is an impactful look at these two people’s lives and the power of destiny.”
Grade: A

Terence Johnson says, “Past Lives is a quietly observed but intimately studied film that really sticks with you. I find myself thinking about different small moments in the film as if they’re films unto themselves because of the emotional purity that Celine Song brings to this story.”
Grade: A-

Alex Billington says, “A beautiful, warm embrace of a film. I’ve already seen this film twice, at two different festivals, and it remains one of the best of the year. I’m in awe that this is the first featured made by Celine Song, she carefully tells this story with humility and empathy. Greta Lee is exceptional in the lead role as Nora, with two lovely supporting performances from Teo Yoo and John Magaro. The emotional ending and perfect final shots in the last few scenes hit me hard. It’s such a lovely, lovely film in every sense – I’m glad it’s out there to bring us some brightness in the cinema. It gets even better on a second viewing, too.”
Grade: A-

Scott Menzel says, “Past Lives is a deeply personal film and one hell of a directorial debut from Celine Song. This raw and thought-provoking film focuses on relationships and the tough decisions that we must make in our lives. Greta Lee, Teo Yoo and John Magaro are all phenomenal. The scene where Greta Lee and John Magaro are laying in bed talking about their story, her past and their future is brilliantly executed. a24 has another winner.

Grade: A-

Wendy Lee Szany says, “A quiet and thoughtful movie on love, growth, and choices that make up our lives. Gorgeously shot. The final scene (and Greta Lee) will leave you in puddles.”
Grade: B+

Aaron Neuwirth says, “This is a well-acted, well-told story, with sneakily impressive filmmaking to further emphasize the strength of this narrative.”
Grade: B+

Maggie Ma says, “Like many Asian films, the characters are quiet and reserved most of the times,barely has any dramatic moment but you can still their emotions and struggles through the performance, even more aroused sometimes without any words.”
Grade: B+