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.

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.

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.

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.

This film does something few dare to try. It shows us a love story as it truly unfolds, complete with the erosion and renewal that happen over decades. In Of Things Past, the young couple's fresh start is interrupted by grief, secrets, and emotional withdrawal. The quiet pacing invites us into their private world, making every smile or frown feel earned. The seasons in Mammoth Lakes change, but the couple's emotional winters sometimes last longer than the snow. This is a portrait of two people who must learn whether love can survive when the dream of a perfect life is gone.