Some critics are already proclaiming it the film of the year, making Past Lives the tortoise to Barbenheimer's hare. It's a very modern, wonderfully restrained, kind-of love story, crossing continents between Seoul and New York, tracing the surging affections of childhood sweethearts Nora and Hae Sung.
The major triumph of Past Lives is not in its beautifully dour, Sofia Coppola-ish cinematography, the tinkering ambience of a Grizzly Bear soundtrack or the two peerless central performances. The best thing about this film is that it carefully unpicks, then categorically takes a sledgehammer to, one of the worst romantic fallacies that can haunt adult lives: 'the one that got away! Everyone has one. The one that got away is that person you met or dreamt about when you were at your most innocent, charming, pretty and unspoilt.
When your hair fell correctly and your wardrobe popped. Before the belt loosened and cynicism crept in. The one that got away can be fleetingly recalled in the spritz of a department store perfumier's bottle, or in that song you once shared which magically appears on shuffle, igniting a whole Catherine wheel memory loop of mixtapes, first kisses and philosophical arguments about a book you read one another in the bath.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
Only £65k a month to live like Boy George
The Karma Chameleon singer listed his house for £17m in 2022, turning down offers. Now, he's looking for a tenant
Welcome to London, unicorn capital of Europe
We're flying far ahead of anywhere outside US for tech investment
Arteta's Arsenal evolution The next phase
Malik Ouzia and Simon Collings assess how the Spaniard will try to bring down Man City after he signs up for another three years with the title in his sights
Title fight catches fire after Gunners embrace dark side
Arsenal-City clashes take on a welcome edge of animosity
Whack the hippy gong-boho's back
It happened in Paris one grey February day. Sienna Miller was in an oversized, black leather jacket, lace-trimmed silk slip and clumpy great wedges.
There's a Starlink waiting in the sky... 7,000 in fact.Can Elon Musk stop them crashing to Earth?
As he was preparing his fields for seeding this year, Barry Sawchuk came across a giant slab of space debris. It had come from a spacecraft belonging to Elon Musk’s company, SpaceX.
'Politicians are only into power-mongering, corruption and cronyism'
We speak to alt revolutionary DEEPAK CHOPRA about biomarkers, his digital twin and his work to save humanity from disease
I've been waiting for a production of Godotthis brilliant all my life
Ben Whishaw and Lucian Msamati bring a potent, tragicomic chemistry to James Macdonald’s rich revival of Samuel Beckett’s challenging play.
Trust me, the Ritz is London's bestrestaurant
To whom we turn in moments of gloom and glory can be instructive, a filter of our truest friends. I've fallen out with the Ritz a couple of times, including once after a visit to the bar which didn’t warrant a review (“But you said it was lovely!” they said.
'Healing is a dirty word'
After four traumatic years, FKA twigs is back with a new album -and a thrilling metamorphosis