Intimately beautiful and deeply personal, Past Lives is a surprisingly soothing viewing experience. It’s a movie that tackles many themes, from love, longing, and the “what if” scenario, to destiny, culture, and windows to our past. But it’s ultimately about life and the personal world we make along the way. And trust me, it’s mesmerizing. The characters and their journeys are so genuine, so real, that you’ll believe every minute of it. Of course, some of that praise belongs to our actors, who each deliver so much with so little. That is to say it’s often the words not spoken, and rather just prolonged looks, that say the most. Yes, our first-time feature director, Celine Strong, has crafted quite the contemplative character study here. It’s a lived experience brought to film in simple, yet oddly addictive fashion. So, hats off Celine - can’t wait to see what aspects of the human condition you tackle next.