Leila

I watched this film in the cinema 3 years ago and I remmeber it when I watch another film that Leila Hatami play in it (SHEIDA).

I think this film is one of the best work of Mehrjoi, the subject of this film happen commonly between young couple's marriage when the woman can't have a children her husband's mother force him to take second wife, and Mehrjoi show it very well ofcourse we don't forget that Leila Hatami play very well as Leila.

I SUGGEST you get this film and watch it today!

Most Iranian movies I've seen so far seem to deal with simple emotions among poor people (e.g. boy looking for friend's house in the next village to return notebook). Leila's characters, freed from the struggle for survival, display a full range of human emotions and complexities. Brilliantly acted, scripted, edited.

The characters and the circumstances in this movie are so well developed that it is hard not to feel just as angry, devastated and numb as Leila. You feel like you become part of a real family that has real dysfunction and is trying to get along despite it all. The few things I did not like include the subtitles, as they were at times difficult to read at the speed they were moving, as well as some of the lighting. There are a few scenes where it would has been nice to see more of the characters' features. Regardless, I feel so much more satisfied after watching this movie that any other run of the mill romantic comedy at the movie theatre. If you are a movie lover and are looking for something different, go watch this movie.

Ingmar Bergman would be proud of this film that enters the soul of an Iranian woman and effects the heart of those who observe. Set in upper-suburbia Teheran where life for Leila takes a turn when she finds herself unable to have children. This has an affect on her marriage caused by outside interference of the family. Leila wants to keep the peace and goes along with the charade of getting her husband a second wife to have children with, a situation that affects everyone. The camera catches the distinct feature of the actors as an over abundance of dialogue takes over. But the dialogue, (with some bad subtitles that is easily overlooked), carries the story onwards while we the audience enter Leila's tormented mind which is the centre stage of this beautifully crafted piece of cinema. Occasionally you want to kick Leila and tell her to get her act together and rebel against her husband's family. But tradition has a hold of her and she remains silent, sending herself into a slow deteriorating state of existence. A tradition that I can almost relate too.

Filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui has given us a stylish, thoughtful and moving Iranian film, "Leila" 1998. Anyone can easily appreciate the storyline, and most of all, women can empathize with central heroine Leila, the emotional journey that she is going through. Actress Leila Hatami captured the role of Leila, the young capable wife, to perfect tempo. Actor Ali Mosaffa comparably portrayed her loving supportive husband Reza. Together they put us at ease even when we see them arguing or frustrated by his mother's interfering calls - we somehow felt they would pull through. Or would they? Can Leila withstand her mother in law's insistence? Her silence to her own parents about her 'secret' lend no backbone solace to herself. How will she manage?

Mehrjui also wrote the screenplay and his direction of the film is just as poignant. Its eloquence is at once unflinching and beautiful, devastating and thoughtful. In a culture so traditional, full of 'compulsory' expectations of an heir, a grandson, Leila and Reza is really depicted as quite modern in their marriage and thinking. There is suspense, alright, as we wait and waver with Leila, as we want to side with Reza to let things be. Yet once Leila decided to go ahead, the mood and pace transformed to anticipation and wonderment. We want to respect their reactions. We hope things would work out in Leila (and Reza)'s favor. Will they? How will it all end? The devastation Leila experienced touches us deeply. We worry for her. What shall Reza do? So many questions. So many unknowns. Hang in there. Writer-director-producer Mehrjui does not disappoint. "Leila" is a wonderful 'filmic' journey in spite of having to read subtitles. The acting, cinematography, score, everything about it is quality production. (129 minutes in Farsi with English subtitles.)