The Persian Version – Movie Review

The Persian Version is now in theaters.

“The Persian Version” had the potential to be an intriguing exploration of the Iranian-American experience, but unfortunately, it falls short of its promise. As someone of Persian descent, I was initially excited to watch this film, hoping to find a connection to the narrative. However, I quickly found myself disinterested and disconnected from the story.

The film’s biggest flaw is its lack of relatability for many Persian viewers.

While I understand that the movie is based on the director’s personal experiences, it could have captured the broader Persian-American experience. The director’s upbringing and family story are, in many ways, outliers in the world of Persian families. This made it challenging for me, as a Persian-born American, to connect with the characters and their experiences.

It isn’t easy to empathize or connect with the characters in the movie since they are barely developed, and there are too many faces to keep track of. The lack of character depth makes it challenging to care about their individual journeys since they remain largely one-dimensional. The film suffers from messy and unclear storytelling, with the narrative jumping back and forth in time and leaving the audience confused about the movie’s tone. It’s a colorful comedy-drama that struggles to find its footing, and by the time it reaches the end, it feels like it’s too little, too late. Overall, the film’s storytelling could have been more cohesive and focused to provide a better viewing experience.

Despite its shortcomings, “The Persian Version” has moments of brilliance. The scenes that focus on the mother’s story, set in a remote village in Iran, are the film’s highlights. These scenes offer a glimpse into a more compelling and emotional narrative that should have been the central focus of the movie.

Verdict

I give “The Persian Version” 2.5 out of 5 stars. It is a film that struggles to find its identity and connect with its audience. While it may resonate with those who share a similar rare background with the director, it fails to provide a universal exploration of the Iranian-American experience. Read more Reviews on Nerdtropolis and make sure to subscribe to our YouTube.