The Persian Version” Review:
In the opening scene of “The Persian Version,” Leila, played by Layla Mohammadi, dashes down the street in a burqa, cheeky swim bottoms incongruously peeking out. This playful yet thought-provoking introduction, crafted by writer/director Maryam Keshavarz, sets the tone for the entire film. The narrative immediately immerses us in a world of hilarity and reflexive discomfort, expertly portraying the stark contrast between opposing values. This unapologetic comedy skillfully lays the foundation for the story that unfolds.
Leila, the daughter of Iranian-American immigrants, is the sole girl among nine siblings, burdened by the weight of immense familial expectations. She constantly straddles the line between two cultures, each exerting its own unique influence on her. In a series of settings that coerce her to pick a side, she grapples to find her own identity in the midst of this cultural tug-of-war. The family reunites in New York for her father’s heart transplant, and this proximity forces Leila into a complex relationship with her mother, adding another layer of tension to her already fraught existence. As secrets are unearthed, the cracks in their family’s foundation become more pronounced, and the film delves deep into the nuances of cross-cultural upbringing, generational trauma, and the bonds of womanhood.
“The Persian Version” pulsates with personality, striking a harmonious balance between humor and heart. With clever fourth-wall breaks and personality-driven one-liners, the film exudes an intimacy that draws the audience in. The script’s sharp wit and skillful tonal shifts enhance the emotional depth of the narrative, never undermining the story’s weight. Leila, a queer woman navigating the demands of patriarchal, hetero-normative femininity imposed by her mother, remains at the forefront of the film’s events, with every laugh contributing to the rich characterizations that drive the film’s emotional core. Comedy is not merely a tool but an integral part of “The Persian Version’s” overarching theme.
Layla Mohammadi delivers a phenomenal performance as Leila, effortlessly capturing the audience’s hearts and evoking laughter, often within the same scene. Her portrayal exudes a down-to-earth quality that fosters a deep sense of intimacy. Whether she’s engaged in a one-sided battle of wits with a one-night stand or seeking her mother’s acceptance, Mohammadi remains in sync with the quarter-life ennui that defines the character. The filmmaking aligns seamlessly with Mohammadi’s grounded performance, making viewers feel as if they are directly immersed in these scenarios, rather than mere objective observers.
Niousha Noor’s outstanding portrayal of Shireen, Leila’s mother, strikes a poignant chord with painful precision. Shireen is undeniably flawed, but as the film unfolds, we gain insight into the pain that informs her judgments and actions. Noor portrays Shireen with unwavering empathy and care, anchoring the film with an essential emotional core that complements Mohammadi’s performance.
“The Persian Version” scrutinizes this family from every angle, dissecting issues such as flawed communication, the projection of trauma, and the complex interplay of love and snark. It examines both the mother’s weaponized generational and cultural divisions and the daughter’s struggle to see her parents as individuals, imperfect and evolving within a broader context. The film navigates the difficult realization that parents, too, deserve grace, and this transition is seldom smooth. It’s a subjective and bewildering process, a fundamental shift in perspective.
Frequent narration, through fourth-wall breaks and voiceovers, underscores the film’s commitment to allowing these women to tell their stories, reinforcing the emotional bonds that propel the narrative forward. Paired with recurring shifts in timeline and perspective, this narrative structure captivates the audience’s attention while maintaining a snappy pace, although not without some minor interruptions in the film’s flow.
“The Persian Version” is a portrait of a daughter as seen through the lens of her mother’s history. It bravely confronts the complex challenges of mother-daughter relationships while never failing to acknowledge the love and pain that coexist within them. With heartwarming childhood vignettes, poignant flashbacks to rural Iran, and hilariously awkward confrontations, the film encapsulates the full spectrum of family dynamics and the quest for independence within it with genuine sincerity. The film underscores the radical act of demanding agency in a world governed by expectations, treating it with the necessary gravitas and gusto. Yet, it also grants equal importance to the everyday moments of life that inspire laughter, motivating us to continue moving forward.