You go into it thinking, "Hey, an Iranian film about a couple divorcing can't be THAT engaging, can it?" But it is. There's a lot more to it than just an argument about a divorce. This is a deeply layered film, and if you don't know anything about the story going in, all the better, as it is a deep joy to watch the events of A Separation masterfully unfold.

The thing that first strikes someone from an Asian audience is the non-glamour quotient of this movie which is a standard of big budget Hollywood flicks. The movie touches upon day-to-day problems and human behaviour beautifully with standout performances by the hero and his daughter along with the domestic maid.

The best structered film, ever.

22 Temmuz 2011, melike ile & http://www.altyazi.net/makale/bir-ayr%C4%B1l%C4%B1k-8-199.aspx

Everyone has their reasons, and things are always more complicated than they seem. Tense as any Hitchcock, but the stakes are deeply personal. A new favorite.

I think I'm in love with red-headed Leila Hatami. Damn head-scarf.

A brilliantly constructed screenplay highlights powerful family drama that ingeniously establishes a myriad of ethical and moral dilemmas for its characters, and explores the ramifications of dedication to religious dogma. Entire cast are superb and minimalist direction (even foregoing a musical score) makes the drama all the more real and raw.

This is one of the greatest films of the past few years, hands down. It’s a landmark film and a great accomplishment in contemporary Iranian cinema, tackling multiple issues with ease and bravura. Each character generates a fair amount of empathy thus turning the whole film into moral mayhem. It deals with the reality of secrets and lies, not a romanticized version of them like most films do. “A Separation” is a testament to restrained filmmaking.

A wonderful Iranian kitchen sink drama that held my attention unwaveringly. This is no small feat. I find that kitchen sink dramas tend to blend together in my mind, especially the typical British ones from the 60s and 70s. They're all kind of the same. A Separation feels truthfully told, which is something that the British kitchen sinks sometimes fail at. They tended to focus unnaturally on the worship of the working class. A Separation never falls into this trap.

A remarkable film and a treasure in the present scenario of Iranian Cinema. Loved the suspense in the script even though it is a drama. The ball of empathy is frequently tossed from one court to other and the director fiddles with the audience's perception of how well they truly understand human behavior in a given society. At the end no one can be exculpated of their sins.

a powerful, hyperrealistic and very well acted drama...

Intriguing drama about life, relations, truth and choices in Iran. Film is sober (no music), but fascinating. The pace of the story is just perfect.

Never less than fully gripping. Sustains an exhausting intensity.