I feel like this was the year that found us return to cinema in full force. Some could say that was all thanks to Barbenheimer. The way in which literally everyone from all over the world took part in this monumental occasion by dressing up and doing double features for each film – I don’t think we will ever have anything like it again.
2023 was also the year that saw me reach one thousand followers on Instagram. What a highlight that was! And though I’ve been stuck at the same number now for the past few months, I absolutely love writing these reviews. Credits Rolling has been a safe haven for me and I would be lost without it.
As I look back on this year, here are my top five best and worst films:
Spanning over twenty years, Nora (Greta Lee) and Hae Sung (Teo Yoo) are childhood friends who lost touch when Nora’s family immigrated from South Korea to Canada. He eventually finds her on social media, though their reunion is short lived. Fast forward through time yet again and Hae Sung finally makes his way to New York City, where Nora is working as a playwright and married to her American husband Arthur (John Magaro). One week together is all it takes for them to be reminded of those feelings they’d long since buried.
Ever since its premiere at Sundance earlier this year, Past Lives has been getting all sorts of buzz. With talk of Celine Song absolutely acing her directorial debut and the phenomenal performances of our leads, I knew this was a title I had to add to my list.
This movie absolutely ruined me. It was so simple yet it spoke volumes. Experiencing Nora and Hae Sung’s relationship as it evolved was both heartwarming and heartbreaking. I’m sure we’ve all had that one friend who moved away when we were younger. How we thought about them when they were gone and what could have been if they were still around. And while this film is helmed as a love story, it is also so much more than that.
While the actors do what they need to do, they do it so perfectly, conveying each emotion and sense of longing for what could have been. The chemistry between them is palpable and while you want them to be together, you also know that it’s impossible. I have to also give a special mention to Arthur. The way in which his character was written was superb. Instead of being jealous of his wife’s connection with another man, he’s there for her and lets her cry on his shoulder. My heart swelled with the way in which he dealt with the entire situation.
Past Lives is about the people we meet throughout our time on this earth. The people who leave an impact, no matter how long they may stay for. Embodying the themes of lost love, closure and found purpose, I was sat in tears during that final scene. This film is not to be missed!
Credits Rolling 