Asghar Farhadi’s ‘The Salesman’ is a Powerful Human Drama

GameStop, Inc.

The Salesman

Roger Ebert said that “the movies are like a machine that generates empathy,” and with the new administration in charge of the United States government being more than openly hostile towards the Iranian regime, the world is dire need of a bit of empathy. Enter the latest film from Iranian writer-director Asghar Farhadi, The Salesman, which is not an overtly political film. Instead The Salesman is a human drama about the lasting effect of violence, and goes a long way to prove that despite our numerous political and cultural difference that there’s very little that separates the people within the borders of these separate nations. Nominated for an Academy Award for Best Foreign Language Film, The Salesman is a riveting drama that consistently builds the tension between its characters and the life-changing experience that shakes their lives.

When nearby construction causes massive damage to their apartment building, Emad (Shahab Hosseini), a teacher who is also in the process of staging a play of Arthur Miller’s Death of a Salesman, and his wife Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti) are forced to seek out a new apartment. The previous tenant of their new apartment hasn’t fully moved out, leaving a variety of her possessions behind. At first this is a minor nuisance to the Emad and Rana as they go about their lives and continue their work on the play as Emad teaches during the day. One fateful night as Rana is home along, she buzzes someone up on the intercom thinking it’s Emad as she’s about to enter the shower. It is not her husband. Emad returns home to find a bloody scene, his wife brutally beaten (and though it’s never explicitly stated it is heavily implied that she’s been the victim of sexual assault). The aftermath of the event robs Rana of her joyous radiance as well as her appetite, as she slips further and further into a depression. Meanwhile, the gossip of the neighbors is haunting Emad. He feels helpless and seek answers about the woman who lived in the apartment before them, as well as her unsavory reputation. Emad’s quest for answers leads him into some dark corners from which he may never escape.

The leading duo of Shahab Hosseini and Taraneh Alidoosti give powerful performances as the married couple whose relationship becomes fractured. Alidoosti brings a sense of innocence lost to Rana following the story’s horrific act. It’s tragic to watch her warmth extinguished as her character becomes more and more withdrawn. Hosseini gives an equally affecting performance of a husband who feels his honor has been threatened by the crimes committed against his wife. You can see the pain of Emad’s face as he feels emasculated by his inability to protect his wife and tormented by the linger questions of the assailant’s identity. These feeling are amplified by the constant gossip of those around him. It slowly culminates in growing distance by these lovers that were once so close.

Asghar Farhadi does magnificent work with The Salesman, allowing the film to give us a feel for the relationship between Rana and Emad before pulling the rug out from underneath his characters. Farhadi’s camera captures the eroding relationship with a dynamic sensibility. The visual style is neither showy nor restrained, often allowing lengthy shots to capture the close quarters of their apartment while highlighting the growing rift dividing the married couple. There’s a strong moralistic streak that Farhadi brings to The Salesman that never even approaches becoming preachy or overwrought. The moralism of The Salesman goes deep into the notions of revenge and Farhadi really brings forth the futility of vengeance, seeing it as a means where satisfaction comes at the cost of losing everything you hold dear. Time and time again, the film is powerful, heartbreaking, and riveting.

Having already won an Oscar for A Separation, Asghar Farhadi has placed himself once again in line for a golden statuette; the stiffest competition likely coming from the critical darling Toni Erdmann. The Salesman is a powerful drama that has empathy seeping through every frame. Political and cultural differences will take center stage in diplomatic relations over the next four years and is likely to get more wrought before it gets better, but art exists to transcend these notions and Asghar Farhadi is the kind of artist needed in these times to help blur the lines between borders. The Salesman is a drama about people and could just as easily be set in the Western world. We our political leaders fail to help bridge the divide, art steps in and does what others lacking political will can’t do. Cinema is a machine that generates empathy, and there’s no greater example of its potential do so than The Salesman.

 

The Salesman
  • Overall Score
4

Summary

A powerful drama about the lasting effects of violence and the futility of vengeance, Asghar Farhadi’s The Salesman is riveting cinema that transcends borders with its heartbreaking tale that is overflowing with empathy.

Anytime Costumes

Leave a Reply

FanboyNation
Animation/Anime Interviews Animation/Anime News Animation/Anime Reviews Film/TV Interviews Film/TV News Film/TV Review
‘Wednesday’ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday from Warner Bros. Home Entertainment

‘Wednesday‘ Comes to Blu-ray on Tuesday, March 26, 2024, from Warner...

Toy Lei Talks About Playing Auntie Victoria in ‘The Brothers Sun’ – Interview Rewind

Asian-American actress Toy Lei stars as Auntie Victoria in the new...

Marcus Massey Talks ‘Winnie-The-Pooh: Blood and Honey 2’ – Interview

Marcus Massey Shares his Wisdom as Owl in ‘Winnie-the-Pooh: Blood and...

Event News Event Reviews
‘MJ the Musical’ Chronicles the Life of the ‘King of Pop’ Running at Segerstrom – Review

‘MJ the Musical‘ is the Ultimate Stage Adaptation, Chronicling the life...

Aiden Sinclair and Michael Rangel Talks ’57 Ghosts’ Aboard the Queen Mary Séance

Aiden Sinclair and Apparitionist, Michael Rangel Discuss their new Theatrical Séance...

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open ‘Slashers Axe Throwing’ – Interview

Luke and Madison Rhoades Open Orange County’s first ever horror themed...

Automotives Football MMA, Kick Boxing & Boxing Professional Wrestling
Olympic Runner Colleen Quigley ‘On The Road to Paris’

Team USA Olympic Runner, Colleen Quigley is On The Road to...

Paralympian Swimmer Ahalya Lettenberger On The Road to Paris

Team USA Paralympian Swimmer, Ahalya Lettenberger is On The Road to...

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre – Interview

Ultimate Women of Wrestling Comes to the Globe Theatre on Sunday,...

Adult Continuity Comics on the Can Cultural Junk Drawer Future Comic Rock Stars Is That Racist? Revisiting the Reviled THAT'S NOT ROTTEN! The B-Reel The Cantina Scene This Week in Crowdfunding What the HELL Did I just...?
Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse – SID SPEAKS!

"We Demons! Let's go CRUNK on this punk-ass world!"

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse: Escalation

When you said "Destroy" Kurt grabbed his mini-gun an AK-47 and...

Fantoy Comics Presents: Harry Potter and the Pahrump Apocalypse, the continuing saga!

If cautious means being careful when I break a foot off...

Music Interviews Music News Music Reviews
Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs & Sketches’ – Interview

Joe Kwaczala Talks About His new Comedy Album ‘Funny Songs &...

Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her Career in the Arts

First Generation Assyrian-Chaldean, Songwriter and Poet, Tamara Mechael Talks About Her...

Louden Swain Headlining Los Angeles Show at The Echo

Press Release – Louden Swain are headlining Los Angeles show at...

Enabled Gaming Gaming News Gaming Reviews
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League Gameplay Trailer

The first Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League gameplay trailer was revealed during...

Wonder Woman Game
Wonder Woman Game Announced By DC and WB Games

Wonder Woman game will feature the iconic hero in a 3rd...

MultiVersus
MultiVersus brings Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny, and More

MultiVersus is bringing Shaggy, Harley Quinn, Jake, Batman, Arya Stark, Bugs Bunny,...

Comic Creator Interviews Comic/Graphic Novel News Comic/Graphic Novel Reviews Manga News Manga Reviews Novel/Novella Author Interviews Novel/Novella News Novel/Novella Reviews
Gary Morgenstein Talks ‘A Dugout to Peace’ the Final Installment of his Trilogy

Gary Morgenstein Talks About ‘A Dugout to Peace‘ the final installment...

Chris Clews Is ‘Raised on the 80s’ and Shares Those Life Lessons

Chris Clews was ‘Raised on the 80s‘ and Shares Those Life...

Roye Okupe Brings Authentic African Representation to HBO Max and Cartoon Network

Nigerian-American, Roye Okupe brings authentic African representation to HBO Max and...

Apparel/Personal Maintenance News Apparel/Personal Maintenance Reviews Entertainment Product News Entertainment Product Reviews Food/Beverage Reviews Hardware News Hardware Reviews Mystery Box News Mystery Box Reviews
Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand Demo

The new ‘Harry Potter: Magic Caster Wand‘ is ready to ship...

Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the ‘Good Flour’

Canadian Super Chef Jen Peters and Matthew Clayton Bring us the...

Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide
Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide

The Pop Insider 2021 Holiday Gift Guide is now available to help...

Gaming Uncensored Toon-In-Talk
Episode 38: Hamid Rahmanian

Join Whitney Grace as she speaks with artist Hamid Rahmanian, who...

No Preview
Toon-In Talk Episode 37: Niki Smith

Whitney Grace interviews graphic novel writer and artist Niki Smith about...

Toon-In Talk Episode 36: Rob Paulsen

Rob Paulsen takes some time from his busy voice acting schedule...