A HERO

When the picture highlights the powerlessness of the central character A Hero ranks among the best Farhadi has put on the big screen.

An act of kindness - the return of a handbag with gold coins to its rightful owner - spirals into a personal nightmare for a jailed man, heavily in debt, in Asghar Farhadi's A Hero.

Once again fashioning a compelling, universal story out of a very small initial incident, the director takes his time to set up the characters, the arena and the mores of Iranian society before gradually exploring the profound effect one small decision has on the life of the main character, his family and friends.

One could argue that A Hero takes a few too many detours, resulting in a film whose tempo sags a bit in parts and doesn't always put its strongest assets front and centre. But when the picture highlights the powerlessness of the central character and - even more so - the bond with his son, A Hero ranks among the best Farhadi has put on the big screen in his lauded career.

The final act in particular really hits home with a message that advocates loyalty to personal values over the happiness of loved ones and proves ones again that Farhadi is one of the best directors working today.

release: 2021

director: Asghar Farhadi

starring: Amir Jadidi, Mohsen Tanabandeh, Sahar Goldust, Fereshteh Sadre Orafaiy