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.

There is a rare intimacy in watching characters truly age on screen. Of Things Past offers this experience, making the emotional weight of the story even stronger. The couple's decision to move to Mammoth Lakes after their loss sets the stage for decades of change. Secrets, betrayals, and small reconciliations shape their bond. The pacing is slow but deeply rewarding. By the end, we feel as though we have lived alongside them, sharing in their joys and sorrows.

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.

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.

Of Things Past does not chase dramatic twists. Its power lies in its patience. The couple at its center faces the slow unraveling of their bond after their child's death. Relocating to Mammoth Lakes offers them a new landscape but not an escape from their pain. Over decades, we see their relationship bend under the weight of secrets and missed chances. Yet, there are also moments of tenderness that keep them connected. The film's greatest strength is showing love as an evolving, imperfect, and deeply human force.