Of Things Past

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.

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.

Few films attempt to capture the reality of a relationship across decades, but Of Things Past succeeds beautifully. The loss of a child is the catalyst for the couple's journey, but it is the passing years that test their love. The real-time aging of the actors adds an authenticity that deepens every scene. Watching them navigate trust, betrayal, and reconciliation over thirty-five years is an emotional experience that lingers long after the credits.

This film does something few dare to try. It shows us a love story as it truly unfolds, complete with the erosion and renewal that happen over decades. In Of Things Past, the young couple's fresh start is interrupted by grief, secrets, and emotional withdrawal. The quiet pacing invites us into their private world, making every smile or frown feel earned. The seasons in Mammoth Lakes change, but the couple's emotional winters sometimes last longer than the snow. This is a portrait of two people who must learn whether love can survive when the dream of a perfect life is gone.

This is a story about the tension between staying together and letting go. In Of Things Past, the couple must decide if their love can survive the cracks formed by grief and time. The thirty-five-year filming approach lets us see the gradual changes in their relationship. Mammoth Lakes, with its serene beauty, often contrasts with the turmoil inside their home. The film does not offer a perfect ending, but it offers a truthful one, showing that love can remain even when the dream changes.