Un héros

"A Hero" (2021 release from Iran; 127 min.) brings the story of Rahmir. As the movie opens, we are introduced to Rahmir, who is on a two day release from jail, resulting from a loan he wasn't able to repay to his creditor, who is owed 150 million tomans (about $3,500). Much to his surprise, Rahmir's girlfriend has found a lady's purse that contains 17 gold coins which would go a long way to pay back the loan. But Rahmir's conscience tells him to instead return the gold coins to its rightful owner. It sets into motion a series of events that no-one could've foreseen...

Couple of comments: this is the latest from Iranian writer-director Asghar Farhadi, who has won Oscars for both 2011's "A Separation" and 2016's "The Salesman". Here once again Farhadi takes a look at a slice of life, where thing don't evolve as expected. On its face, the movie, very much like Farhadi's prior films, is deceitfully simple but in fact it examine many different aspects: a divorced man with a young son who stutters; the accumulative effects of so-called white lies; the peer pressure to conform in a conservative society. In the end, "A Hero" is another complex, nuanced morality play from Asghar Farhadi that, like an onion, reveals more with each layer as the movie goes by. The no-names cast is fantastic from start to finish. Filmed in the city of Shiraz (in southwest Iran), the film also offers a glimpse of what daily life in Iran looks like today (guess what: they are people just like us, many struggling to simply make ends meet).

"A Hero" premiered at last year's Cannes Film Festival to immediate critical acclaim (and winning one of the festival's major prizes). After a limited US theatrical release, the movie moved to Amazon Prime this weekend, where I caught it. If you are in the mood for another top-notch foreign morality play that is is as universal as it is spellbinding, I'd readily suggest you check this out, be it on Amazon Prime, Amazon Instant Video, or eventually on DVD/Blu-ray, and draw your own conclusion.

Greetings again from the darkness. "Oh, what a tangled web we weave, when first we practice to deceive." That line from a Sir Walter Raleigh poem hit me early, and stuck with me through this latest superb film from Iranian writer-director Asghar Farhadi. Having won me over a decade ago with A SEPARATION (2011), and again 5 years ago with THE SALESMAN (2016), Farhadi excels at pushing our buttons on the complexities of human nature.

Rahim (Amir Jadidi) receives a two day leave from debtor's prison, and has reason for optimism. He has a legitimate plan to make good on his debt and gain his release. A taxi drops him at the tomb of Xerxes where his sister's brother Hossein (Alireza Jahandideh) is working on the preservation. Rahim, a low-key guy with an easy smile, asks Hossein for help in brokering a deal with Bahram (Mohsen Tanabandeh), the man who paid off the loan shark on Rahim's behalf, and filed the complaint that sent him to jail.

The divorced Rahim meets up with his secret lover, Farkhondeh (Sahar Goldust), to cash out the 17 gold coins she recently found. Unfortunately, the exchange rate is less than expected, and worse than that for Rahim, Bahram refuses to accept the partial payment in conjunction with a promissory note. This leads to the aforementioned 'tangled web' and allows filmmaker Farhadi to do what he does best ... cause us to question everything.

The web involves Rahim, Bahram, the jailer, and a local charity that gets involved for what is initially termed the actions of 'a hero'. But that's just the tip of who gets dragged in, and that includes Rahim's son, who has a significant speech impediment. So what happens? Well, without giving anything away, we learn there's a fine line between a lie and the truth, and between a heroic act and manipulation. In fact, Farhadi has us questioning what it means to be a hero. What impact does media attention have? Is it heroic to do the right thing? What if that thing also helps you? What role do the reasons for your actions play?

Rahim faces a steady stream of moral forks in the road. Which path to take at any given time has ramifications on him, his situation, and countless others. As the fibs pile up, soon others are lying to help you or telling stories to hurt you. There is so much grey area here, we can't be certain whether black and white even exists. Farhadi's film seems like a simple story about a simple man, but neither the story nor the man are simple. It's not about the money, but the money reveals character. Reputation and integrity are on the line. We may first root for Rahim and jeer Bahram, but upon reflection, we likely shift our support. This is Iran's submission to the Academy, and it's a good one.

In theaters January 7, 2022 and streaming on Amazon Prime January 21, 2021.

There is no filmmaker working today who can match Farhadi's ability to portray real-life family dynamics, everyday occurrences, and all the small details of life. Farhadi is the master when it comes to bringing a true sense of realism in his movies, and in this latest effort, he makes sure of making that obvious. Yet, although 'A Hero' conveys successfully that Farhadi touch for genuine realism, the film is deprived of the kinetic energy Farhadi's most triumphant films enroll on.

Here Farhadi decides to go for seemingly a more rewarding path regarding the script. He chooses to construct a long pattern of conflicts, hoping to keep the audience constantly interested. But Asghar goes overboard with it. It's like someone dared him to create the twistiest story he could come up with, and voila, this is the result. But this amount of plot-heavy nature of the screenplay didn't play as Farhadi was hoping. The film gets tiresome; too convoluted - not that I wasn't able to keep up with the story because Farhadi does an incredible job constructing it meticulously, but it lacks that spark that, as I said, made Farhadi's other films such masterpieces.

But my problem with the script is from a story standpoint only (that later would cause some plot holes with the character development of the main protagonist, which I can easily overlook - minor issue). As for the dialogue, here we get to enjoy some of the best character interactions Farhadi has ever created. And the actors deliver, at worst, grounded performances. I loved the performance of the actor playing the protagonist. I appreciate non-verbal acting, and Amir Jadidi shines in those moments here. His face is naturally compelling. He says so much with a sole glare - terrific performance!

As all Farhadi's movies, 'A Hero' is a film told with an enormous grace; a nuanced portrait of domestic life that's so far-reaching as it deals with thematics that are true to life in any culture and society. Again, the film is not up to mark with the best's of Farhadi. The numerous twist and turns seem to pile up and can become exhausting, plus the film feels longer than its running time due to its gradual pacing. But the simple approach, the assured direction, and outstanding performances make this one of the finest portrays of intricate human drama.

Can one do a good deed even if it's under false pretenses? If so, is it still "heroic"? Superb Writer-Director Asghar Farhadi's (A SEPARATION, SALESMAN) latest is based on the simplest of premises: A man discovers a lost bag containing gold. The finder here is Rahim (Amir Jadidi) who is on leave from debtor's prison when he comes into possession of the loot. The valuables could go a long way to helping him pay off his debt -- and possibly lead to his release so he can return to his son and fiancee Farkhondeh (Sahar Goldust).

With Farhadi, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. Every thought and glance - let alone action - has consequences (as does inaction). The auteur weaves a complex web of motivations into the most elemental of deeds. The notions of 'good' and 'bad' are far less important than the moral and ethical implications. The title itself ironically invokes what happens to Rahim's reputation -- as well as those of his family and anybody else who are drawn into his entanglements.

The screenplay evokes classic Italian Neo-realism where something as innocent as buying a pair of shoes can create a whole complex journey around it (an example which the great screenwriter Cesare Zavattini himself used). Farhadi includes current technology such as social media, but, at it's heart, it's a tale of a man and his choices. The setting in Iran is also cleverly woven into the fabric of the storytelling with its notions of family honor and treatment of women being key subtexts.. There are a few moments here and there that get a bit repetitive, but, there is always a sense that Farhadi is firmly in control of the narrative.

None of this would work without some fine acting and Farhadi's keen eye. Jadidi is excellent as the hapless 'hero'. Mohsen Tanabandeh is equally fine as the stubbornly proud creditor as are several more in the large cast. Each actor perfectly representing their character's particular viewpoint. Farhadi isn't a stylist in the common cinefile definition of the word, but his precise camera placements and editing nonetheless mark him as one of the finest Director's working in the world. A HERO adds to his impressive resume.

Iranian film with innovative plot by Asghar Farhadi.

Amir Jadidi caries the movie. He wrestles with a moral dilemma and tries to do the right thing but circumstances do not favor him. He beautifully portrays the character's mild mannerisms and shows his anger due to festering frustrations and flare ups. Supporting cast has done a great job. Overall a decent movie which feels REAL and offers the viewer something new.