Pros: A moving and deep film of spiritual crisis, in the metaphor of blindness
Cons: Too slow and depressing, perhaps, for average viewer
The Bottom Line: Touching story of middle-aged man's rage against God, when the gift of sight after years of blindness makes him bitter about lost years
This is a slow story of a professor, age 45, married with one child, content with his life in a "little paradise". That is his work at the university, lecturing on Persian writers; his kind wife and mother; his comfortable home and garden; his Braille typing machine and Braille library, and (implied) respect and love of his community, students, colleaugues, and neighbors.
He was not born blind, but at age 8 damaged the retina when exposed to the sparks from firecrackers. He had been raised in a school for the blind and become successful. Although he is heavy, clumsy and far from handsome, he has a life as best as can be imagined with his handicapp.
Suddenly, a chance comes to go to France and have an operation to bring back his eyesight. It succeeds, and he awakens to the visual world in shock. He slowly realizes that he had lost the best years of his life. He becomes enraged, burning all his Braille library at home, spurning his wife, neglecting his daughter and his work, simply wandering aimlessly around the city. Meanwhile, although no longer young, he starts lusting for young women as he rides the Teheran subway, especially his student, Pari, who is a classic young Persian beauty with very white skin.
When the wife realizes that her husband was discontent, she leaves with the small daughter, and things get worse. Ultimately, very sadly - no Hollywood Happy End! - his vision is lost again and he descends again into blackness, raging in a hospital bed.
The film will disappoint those seeking a fast-paced film; this is a very slow and loving look at a man's unraveling when given the gift of a new life. I found it particularly poignant while sitting on the couch, myself recuperating in frustration from a ruptured Achilles' Tendon. Now that my 10 weeks of no-walking and no work are almost ending, and I can resume a "new life", I felt as this man did: what great things will I do, to show God that I appreciate my feet and health? Will I just slide into a kind of bitterness at the lost summer, the lost income as a tourguide, the lost muscles?
This movie WILL speak to those who've been through any kind of physical handicapp or injury, who then recover. Those who realize that God is giving them a new chance: what should they do?
The movie is spiritual; our man is even writing to God in Braille, and inserting the letters into his Koran as a prayer.
Iranian films are not only beautifully filmed, but they seem to speak so deeply about life's greatest issues. Western tastes generally do not approach these unpleasant things without some kind of implied "HappyEnd". I admire their films for telling the truth.
It's also a treat to see Iranian people, streets, etc. since it's difficult for us to visit there.
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.