Persepolis - A Review of the Movie

Persepolis, done in collaboration by Marjane Satrapi and Vincent Parannoud, was a big deal when it came out theatrically in 2007. The film was so much a big deal it was nominated for an Oscar for Best Animated Film. Persepolis was so wildly inventive, deep and well presented it should have won the Oscar!

For those who read both volumes of Satrapi's graphic memoir, the adaptation is highly faithful. The only scenes in color are the airport scenes, which serve as a transition into the major events of Satrapi's life. Once the main black-and-white sequences begin, your eyeballs will pop. The animation of the characters, objects and backgrounds are fluid and fit into the film's environment. The backgrounds are highly detailed and designed with calligraphy, Persian art and themes. Persepolis dares to be different from the rest of the animation crop (especially from the United States) with its unique visuals.

The dialogue, mostly staying true to the source material, and acting are also first rate. Viewers will fall for Satrapi in her growth from spunky Communist worshipper to Iron Maiden loving teenager to the progressive, strong minded adult she will become. Given the film's length, it time is not spent to explore certain characters and themes that the graphic memoirs did. But the film did other characters aside from Satrapi justice to illustrate her younger self evolving and enduring trauma. The scenes with Satrapi's uncle, Anoosh, climbing up a high mountain and swimming across an ocean to reach Moscow fit with the film's highly stylistic and dream-like theme will amaze. Other characters that the film explores are complimented with high quality visuals to emphasize on their personalities from Satrapi's point of view.

The movie is well balanced in comedy and tragedy. Funny bits include Satrapi's "growth spurts" and rising from a bout with depression with sad bits including the imprisonment of her uncle Anoosh and battle with depression. The film's pace and tone are balanced to reflect on the good and bad parts of Satrapi's life. The film is not a sob story or is it an overly cheery nostalgiac ride that most animated movies seem to take to gain acceptibility. To fully watch and enjoy Persepolis, you have to take in Satrapi's hilarious and tragic elements equally. Most importantly, participating Satrapi going through life is required. The viewer will hopefully take a ride with Satrapi down memory lane for that is the film's most rewarding experience.

Reading both volumes of Persepolis, I reaped enjoyment viewing and comparing certain scenes found in both the comics and in the film. Satrapi's grandmother has rewardingly amusing moments in the film than she was given in the comic, one where she and Satrapi go to see Godzilla. Ever had a parent or grandparent that forced you to cover your eyes but they took in the juicy carnage instead? Grandma Satrapi does just that.

People who have read the comics can criticize the certain scenes handled in the films handled differently than they did in the comics. Satrapi's marriage and time in Europe appear to be rushed, sacrificed to focus on the more funny/traumatic portions that were featured in the comics. That's expected in an adaptation but there is hardly a moment where the viewer will ever get bored in the film. Nothing is out of place, everything is interesting and the sequence of dialogue and imagery are well thought out. To criticize the film for not developing enough parts of sequences would not be understanding the hard work Satrapi and Parannoud placed to deliver an engrossing film where the strengths heavily overshadow the tiny flaws included.

So I've seen the movie in its splendor with Dr. Clemente and the rest of the graphic novel class. Anyone who has not seen Persepolis, whether you have read the comics or not, are in for a treat. As a person who enjoys reading the original source material first and seeing the adapation afterward, I highly recommend checking out Satrapi's graphic memoir. You will be satisfied nonetheless.

- Kristopher