Critic Rating
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Director
Asghar Farhadi
Cast
Tarane Alidousti,
Babak Ansari,
Faramarz Gharibian,
Ahoo Kheradmand,
Hossein Farzi-Zadeh,
Farhad Ghaemian
Genre
Drama
After spending two years in a juvenile detention center for killing his girlfriend, the now eighteen-year-old Akbar is transferred to an adult prison facility to await the day of his execution. Desperate to save him, Akbar’s sister and his recently-paroled friend work together to gain the consent of the victim’s father to commute the sentence.
TV Guide Magazine by Ken Fox
While touching on subjects as serious and diverse as capital punishment, the devaluation of women in Iran and the true Islamic concept of forgiveness, this powerful melodrama from the Iranian filmmaker Asghar Farhadi is anything but a message movie.
New York Daily News by Jami Bernard
Like most Iranian films, it's a shaggy-dog story that builds so slowly you don't see the quietly shattering climax coming.
New York Post by V.A. Musetto
Excellent performances are given by all, with Alidoosti, who has the face of an angel, once again a wonder.
The New York Times
Only inconsistent pacing and a few minor contrivances that develop late in the film dull its otherwise quietly effective dramatic impact.
The Hollywood Reporter by Frank Scheck
Well acted and smartly written, the film is an eye-opening sociological portrait that also manages to be a compelling human drama.
Variety by Ronnie Scheib
Fascinating glimpse into wholly different body of laws, engrossingly evolving script and standout performances.
The New York Times by Laura Kern
Only inconsistent pacing and a few minor contrivances that develop late in the film dull its otherwise quietly effective dramatic impact.
Village Voice by Joshua Land
At times resembling an Iranian "Dead Man Walking," Beautiful City goes out of its way to give each character a fair shake-a few patriarchal rages notwithstanding, even the vengeful father is treated sympathetically. But the script, overly laden with red herrings, forces its characters into some improbable dilemmas.
Chicago Reader
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi follows up his stunning debut feature "Dancing in the Dust" (2003) with this melancholy drama about the aftermath of a senseless murder.
Chicago Reader by Joshua Katzman
Iranian director Asghar Farhadi follows up his stunning debut feature "Dancing in the Dust" (2003) with this melancholy drama about the aftermath of a senseless murder.
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