A Separation (2011)

I liked A Separation when I first saw it, but the second viewing is where it clicked. Once you notice how Asghar Farhadi plants every detail early on, the whole film transforms. Layers everywhere.

A Separation has been praised so heavily that no film could live up to the hype completely. It's an excellent film — the refusal to assign blame is genuinely remarkable — but it's not the untouchable masterpiece some claim.

A Separation is not background viewing. Every scene requires you. Put your phone down, dim the lights. Asghar Farhadi is doing too much to be half-watched. Give it the attention it deserves.