Pir Pesar

I've never seen an Iranian movie like The old Bracher in my whole cinematic life. Even I watched Maybe all of Iranian movies but there is nothing like this. That was spectacular. Absolute Cinema. I recommend it to the world as an amazing experiment. You won't blink while watching. It has unforgeable scenario, mind blowing actors such as Mr Poorshirazi.the music has feeling. It's related to the contain scene the movie doesn't have any additional or annoying scene.althiu It has only three location and the most of the movie is just in one. I haven't seen anything except Cinema, interest and goods. Watch it in Cinema.

The film was shocking and at the same time fascinating, a 3-hour film that no one left the theater during the screening! The story progressed well for the first hour, and when it reached the second hour, it became a little boring. I think this film could have been much more interesting at 2 and a half hours. The last 30 minutes of the film are when the story reaches its darkest point, and several horrible secrets are revealed and those shocking events occur that are like a bucket of ice water being poured on the viewer. Despite being still in shock, the viewer looks at the last frame, which is full of longing, tragedy, and blood, and that music and the dirty, messy house, which now has negative energy lurking in every corner, and the film ends.

"Old Bachelor" is a precise, orderly, thoughtful, and tasteful film that lingers in the mind due to its production quality and subject matter.

This film is over three hours long, but it neither tires nor loses the audience.

It has a very solid rhythm and full of details.

The performances are all excellent and spot-on.

I was able to understand and get to know all the characters. Especially the character of the eldest son (Ali) felt very tangible and relatable to me.

The set design, lighting, and color palette are phenomenal.

It has one of the best cinematographies in Iranian cinema.

The music is also excellent and conveys that tension and excitement in the best possible way.

Alongside all its strengths, I think the film's duration could have been more cohesive and shorter!

Like numerous scenes depicting the 'Father' character's drug use.

This might be justified for character explanation in the early scenes, but it feels excessive in the second half!

Another issue is the symbolism; while it mostly flows with the film, in some places it seems illogical!

Overall, "Old Bachelor" is a well-crafted, polished film with strong performances and respectable quality!

It has so many commendable strengths that make one overlook its flaws.

The Old Bachelor," directed by Oktay Barahani, was for me more than just a typical drama. With Hassan Pourshirazi's outstanding performance as Gholam Bastani, the film skillfully portrays the archetype of the "Puer Aeternus" or "Eternal Youth." This character, despite his age, remains emotionally stunted, refusing to embrace the responsibilities of adulthood.

This interpretation is reinforced by Gholam's own pivotal dialogue: "A man whose life has no rules or order, even if he grows old, will remain an old boy and never truly grow up!" Furthermore, one can observe echoes of "Dionysus," the god of ecstasy and liberation, within Gholam Bastani, which perfectly complements the "Eternal Youth" aspect of his character. This is a profound and thought-provoking film that delves into the psychological layers of humanity.

Well, where do I even begin? I just left the theater a few hours ago, and I'm still in shock. The movie starts off intriguingly, skillfully introducing each character. You immediately get a strong sense of everyone's personality and background, which makes it easy to connect with them on a deeper level.

The direction was stunning, and the cinematography was breathtaking. But what truly stood out was the acting. The entire cast-Qolam (Hassan Pourshirazi), Ali (Hamed Behdad), Reza (Mohammad Valizadegan), and Raana (Leila Hatami)-delivered performances that were nothing short of exceptional. Hassan Pourshirazi's portrayal of Qolam was particularly profound; it felt like the character and actor were one and the same. His performance ranks among the most realistic and deeply moving in recent Iranian cinema.

I've noticed some negative reviews, which I believe stem from the film challenging deeply rooted taboos in Iranian society. This film bravely confronts a taboo rarely addressed in Iranian cinema: the unquestioned respect for parents, especially fathers, regardless of their behavior. I'm not saying fathers shouldn't be respected, but only if they truly fulfill the role of a father-that is, someone a child can rely on and trust.

In many countries, organizations exist to support children with abusive parents or women facing abuse from older men-another taboo topic this film highlights. But in Iran, a father can legally inflict severe harm on his children, sometimes even lethal, with minimal consequences. This film powerfully depicts how a father's destructive behavior can ruin his children's lives, leaving them powerless to stand up against him.

Some critics argue that if this movie were made in Hollywood, it wouldn't have the same impact. But films must be judged within the cultural and social context in which they were made. It's telling that the film was completed four years ago but only released recently-no doubt due to government censorship cutting many scenes. Iranian filmmakers don't enjoy the creative freedom their Western counterparts do.

Taking all this into account, this film is a masterpiece that held me captive from start to finish. The last 30 minutes had me on the edge of my seat, and when the credits rolled, I was so overwhelmed I couldn't move for several minutes. This is a must-watch film that sheds light on how children can become victims of their parents, how young women can suffer at the hands of older men, and how society itself can fail its youth.

A truly brilliant film with outstanding performances.