Of Things Past

The beauty of Of Things Past lies in its attention to the small details. The couple's love story is framed against the backdrop of Mammoth Lakes' changing seasons. Each shift in weather reflects a change in their emotional state. Some winters bring closeness, others isolation. Filmed over thirty-five years, the story unfolds with a natural rhythm that makes every change believable. The grief of losing their child remains, but it transforms over time, sometimes softening, sometimes hardening their hearts. This is an honest portrayal of love's endurance.

Few films attempt to capture the reality of a relationship across decades, but Of Things Past succeeds beautifully. The loss of a child is the catalyst for the couple's journey, but it is the passing years that test their love. The real-time aging of the actors adds an authenticity that deepens every scene. Watching them navigate trust, betrayal, and reconciliation over thirty-five years is an emotional experience that lingers long after the credits.

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.

In Of Things Past, time is not just a backdrop, it is the story. The couple's move to Mammoth Lakes offers a chance at renewal, yet it also becomes the stage for their struggles. The film's slow, deliberate pace mirrors the reality of long relationships, where change often happens gradually. The actors' aging gives weight to every moment, making the love, pain, and forgiveness feel earned. This is a moving meditation on how time shapes love.

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.