Draft of Movie Review for Persepolis

While settling into a chair to watch a movie, many will comment on how unrealistic the story is, or how people in “real life” would never act like that. Still, the heart pumping fight scenes of the must-see blockbuster typically draw people in droves as they escape normalcy to live vicariously through the characters. However, the less celebrated ones that feature a coming-of-age story are the ones that many want to relate to. They can say that they have, at one point, gone through what the protagonist has experienced. Persepolis is no different, though the circumstances of her politically deteriorating country showcases more then what is pictured as black and white.

In the style of the graphic novels it was based on, Marjane Satrapi’s life plays out in animated form. Beginning in color and returning to black and white, Satrapi delves into her memories when she cannot board a place to return to Iran. The simplicity of style should not fool anyone into thinking that this is a children’s movie; her story has many shades of grey. Part of a middle class family, Satrapi is fumbling with the heavier consequences of the changing society around her; while her parents protest against the Shah, she dreams of being a prophet. She grows to idolize her uncle Anoosh, a political prisoner having been arrested for ideas of communism. Though the Shah is eventually overturned, Islamic Fundamentalists soon force the rest of the population into their definition of freedom, which for the women meant veils.

Iran is soon plunged into war with Iraq and the gravity of reality sets in for Satrapi. Anoosh is rearrested. Authorities corner her and her family. Having spoken against the teacher in school, Satrapi is sent away by her parents to Austria for safety. Unfortunately, there she finds lackluster friendship, love and shame. Though she returns to Iran, she doesn’t seem to belong.
Though one can expect the graphic novels to be more in depth, the film did capture the essential details of Satrapi’s story. She helped write the screenplay as well, keeping the adaption true to her memories. The pacing of the film matched the circumstances of the story as it progressed; with her childhood memories, events seemed more sporadic and disjointed, though all interconnected at the same time. The visual style of the film sets it apart from other animated movies; though black and white, I could relate to the clear-cut characters. Their voices were earnest in emotion and though for English speakers that means having to read subtitles, it does not take away from the movie.

For those with casual knowledge of the Iranian Revolution, the storyline will be easier to follow. However, portions of the movie do depict who is really in power of Iran at the time by employing the style of shadow puppets, implying that authorities were just pawns. Surprisingly, the simple lines of the characters display such emotion that you can sympathize with them. When the explosions of bombs terrorize the country, there is a notable panic in the air, with the stark style deteriorating to sketchier lines. Packaged in an initially deceiving fashion, Persepolis delivers a mature, engaging story of a misunderstood population.