by Shane Conto, Staff Writer
Is there a more relatable tale than one about an immigrant family? It is an experience that most can relate to, as so many American families started as immigrants. The experience of balancing your original culture and American culture can be a towering challenge. You want to be true to yourself and your roots, but also feel a part of this new land and culture. Family dynamics can be awkward and challenging, which adds an extra layer on this immigrant experience. The connection between a mother and daughter can also be one of the most complicated of all. Blend this all together and you can have quite a cinematic experience. Here comes Maryam Keshavarz, and her mix of comedy and drama, with The Persian Version.
What is the biggest standout of Keshavarz new film? All the aforementioned topics are handled with such great care, and a poignancy that it is quite impressive. The Persian Version is quite funny, but it is the story of a young woman grappling with her conflicting cultures, the challenges of today’s world, and the generational connection of the women in her family that make it pop. This film is centered around the story of Leila (Layla Mohammadi) as she grapples with her life in the shadow of that of her mother, Shireen (Niousha Noor), and her grandmother, Mamanjoon (Bella Warda). Keshavarz bounces between Leila’s experiences of being lost and unexpectedly pregnant and flashbacks to her mother and grandmother’s experiences. Their stories are filled with parallels to Leila’s, and feature great glimpses into success, struggles, and heartbreak. For all the laughs this film delivers, there is plenty of drama that lands, too.
How does Keshavarz balance these different threads? There is a mix of storytelling elements from Leila writing her mother’s stories to her grandmother recounting her experiences herself. The main flaw you might find in this film is the clutter that occurs due to all the bouncing around. This can make the pacing uneven, with long stretches not even featuring Leila at all (which seems odd for someone who is obviously set up as our protagonist). Despite this, Keshavarz always brings plenty of energy to the film. She balances the vibrant dancing numbers of her family and the deeply emotional revelations from the stories of her family. This film certainly delivers plenty of laughs, but it really is a drama that feels so deeply connected to its themes of motherhood.
How does Keshavarz make her film stand out from a visual standpoint? First off, the costuming is top notch. There are so many bright colors and vibrant personalities on screen, as the family’s Iranian culture is on display. There are energetic dance numbers (including to “Girls Just Want To Have Fun”) that bring some much-needed fun in between the heavier elements of the story. Leila’s retelling of her mother’s story has a great energy to it as well, with bright colors and buckets of charm. It is inspiring, and we connect with this wonderful success story. Most of the male characters do not have a lot of depth or get much focus, but they get some time to shine with their humor. The healthy mix of humor and emotion makes Keshavarz’s film really come to life.
Who else helps Leila and her family’s story come to life? This cast. Most of the male performers are relegated to supporting roles, but the film really is about motherhood and the female experience. Mohammadi is a great lead, as she is hilarious, sells Leila’s struggle, and delivers a performance full of emotion. We get to see her struggles with her mother thanks to Noor’s great performance. They have impressive chemistry, and that is why we connect so well to their parallel story. Warda and Sachli Gholamalizad are both fantastic as Mamanjoon at different points in her life, as we learn some of the darker elements to this family’s story.
Will The Persian Version resonate and capture the attention of audiences? It certainly should. The themes are relatable, and so many people can connect with this family story. Whether you have great relationships with family or tumultuous ones, Keshavarz knows how to show it all. Leila’s story is inspiring, funny, and full of emotions. This is the right kind of film to inspire people, and hopefully get them back out to the theater.
Rating: Liked It
The Persian Verison is currently playing in theaters
You can read more from Shane Conto, and follow him on Instagram, and Letterboxd