Time: 92 Minutes
Age Rating: R16 – Sex scenes, offensive language, and nudity
Cast:
Franz Rogowski as Tomas Freiburg
Ben Whishaw as Martin
Adèle Exarchopoulos as Agathe
Director: Ira Sachs

Passages was one of the movies I had been hearing about and had been meaning to watch. I didn’t really know much about it except that Ben Whishaw is in it, and that it got some notable coverage when it was controversially given an NC-17 rating. Overall, it’s a great movie. 

I found Passages to be quite a compelling and intimate relationship drama. Essentially, it’s a character study of someone who makes the worst decisions which ruins other people’s lives, mainly the people closest to him. It feels real, bittersweet, and is unflinchingly honest and moving. I thought the ending was also very effective. As for criticisms, I guess one thing is that beyond the protagonist, there’s not a lot to the other characters, even the other two main supporting characters didn’t have a ton to them, as well acted as they were.

The acting really makes this movie. Franz Rogowski portrays the unlikable and selfish main character and delivers a truly excellent performance. His character feels very real, and Rogowski really conveys his layers, especially with regards to his narcissism. Ben Whishaw and Adèle Exarchopoulous are both great as Rogowski’s romantic partners, Whishaw particularly is hard hitting in his scenes.

It’s also well directed by Ira Sachs. The style is quite straightforward, but it is well shot and has good interiors and costuming. It particularly has some really effective use of blocking and framing.

Passages is a compelling and intimate romantic drama, with incredible performances from Franz Rogowski, Adèle Exarchopoulous and Ben Whishaw. Definitely worth checking out.