Of Things Past

Well-crafted, thoughtful story that follows the intersection of 2 families who each experience the trauma of their young kids' accidents. Filmed in both '85 and '22, earlier events are reflected on by key characters who meet later in life. Outstanding performances by Ms. Clark and Mr. Moriarty. The latter acts, sings, plays piano. Beautifully shot and with a soundtrack that supports the struggles the primary characters wade through coming to terms with indecision. And indiscretion.

A flaw may be that the "miracle" conversation that Moriarty's character has with a doctor feels extraneous.

A unique production. Calls for a 2nd viewing. And a wider audience.

This film is more than a romance or a drama. It is a chronicle of a relationship over three and a half decades. In Of Things Past, the move to Mammoth Lakes is a symbolic attempt at renewal. However, time reveals deeper truths. Some years are full of quiet companionship, others are tense with unspoken resentment. Watching the characters physically and emotionally age makes their journey feel profoundly real. It is a reminder that relationships are never static and that love must be rebuilt again and again.

The beauty of Of Things Past lies in its attention to the small details. The couple's love story is framed against the backdrop of Mammoth Lakes' changing seasons. Each shift in weather reflects a change in their emotional state. Some winters bring closeness, others isolation. Filmed over thirty-five years, the story unfolds with a natural rhythm that makes every change believable. The grief of losing their child remains, but it transforms over time, sometimes softening, sometimes hardening their hearts. This is an honest portrayal of love's endurance.

In Of Things Past, time is not just a backdrop, it is the story. The couple's move to Mammoth Lakes offers a chance at renewal, yet it also becomes the stage for their struggles. The film's slow, deliberate pace mirrors the reality of long relationships, where change often happens gradually. The actors' aging gives weight to every moment, making the love, pain, and forgiveness feel earned. This is a moving meditation on how time shapes love.

One of the most moving aspects of Of Things Past is how it uses silence. The absence of words often says more than dialogue could. Over thirty-five years, the couple's relationship shifts from closeness to distance, from resentment to cautious forgiveness. The tragedy that began their journey together in Mammoth Lakes never completely leaves them. Instead, it becomes a quiet presence in every scene. The performances are understated yet powerful, especially as the actors genuinely age before our eyes. This is a love story for those who know that the hardest part of commitment is enduring when it is easier to leave.