Leila

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.)

When people speak of Dariush Mehrjui's films what comes. across most often is his ability to paint. complex relationships and emotions without skipping a beat in the film's rythm or pace. Sounds artsy right? But it's true. Leila is a movie with such compassion and tenderness that you can feel. your stomach knot with every event that Leila endures. The film is paced so well and ends so eloquently that (trust me) you don't want to be disturbed by any other sights or sounds for a long time after. Leila is a young iranian girl, in the a social throes, something that she has no choice about. Wish i could summarise the story, but saying anything will give away too much. Especially since the movie is comprised of a series of interlinked events, and any passage of time can only be measured by Leila's everyday agony.

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.

this film is indicating a semi modern Iranian couple ,who are trying to fight with old believes &old generation.in this battle they fail cause the man is not strong enough.if you really want to understand this film you must know a lot about Iranian nowadays culture. Leila is the symbol of a young Iranian woman who marry with love but others interferer her life with the name of family traditions and customs.specially her husbands family .at the end of film it shows that every one is damaged by this interference Leila,her husband,mother in law&... the subject is some how strange for westerners,but many of your subjects are strange for easterners too!

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!