Critic Rating
(read reviews)User Rating
Director
Marjane Satrapi
Cast
Chiara Mastroianni,
Danielle Darrieux,
Catherine Deneuve,
Simon Abkarian,
Gabrielle Lopes Benites,
François Jerosme
Genre
Animation,
Drama
When the Shah is toppled during the 1979 Iranian Revolution, Marjane Satrapi's anti-government family is thrilled. As Marji grows up, however, she witnesses firsthand how the new Iran---now ruled by Islamic fundamentalists---has become a repressive tyranny of its own. And, no matter where she runs to, she can't escape the feeling that she doesn't belong.
I absolutely adore this film. Persepolis' style of animation is definitely effective in its ability to convey the cruelty of war, political conflict, and discrimination without taking away from the seriousness of these topics. Still, Marjane's portrayal is so endearing - her personal struggles and journey to adulthood are in many ways universal, which makes it possible for young women of various backgrounds to resonate with her character.
I'm not usually one for this style of animation, but something about Persepolis just works; the animation captures everything from her youthful exuberance to her intense loneliness with masterful use of color. Although it features poignant moments from Iranian history, the story is so achingly universal: we have all been Marji. It's definitely a must see.
Slate
A completely different kind of animated movie that, even more than "Ratatouille," reimagines what the medium can do.
USA Today by Claudia Puig
Cinematic poetry in black and white. It also is a deeply affecting tale of the power of resilience and an unflagging sense of humor through the worst of situations
Newsweek by David Ansen
It's not to be missed in any language. In a year that has given us such marvelous animated movies as "Ratatouille" and "Paprika," this vibrant, sly and moving personal odyssey takes pride of place.
Slate by Dana Stevens
A completely different kind of animated movie that, even more than "Ratatouille," reimagines what the medium can do.
Premiere by Glenn Kenny
While avoiding specious bromides about universality, Persepolis insists on communicating with its audience, and insists that communication and empathy are the keys to our survival.
Entertainment Weekly by Lisa Schwarzbaum
The movie sparkles with witty self-awareness.
Chicago Reader by J.R. Jones
If "Ratatouille" taught the world that rats have feelings too, Persepolis teaches the same thing about the people of Iran, who in the current political climate are probably in greater danger of being eradicated.
Chicago Sun-Times by Roger Ebert
While so many films about coming of age involve manufactured dilemmas, here is one about a woman who indeed does come of age, and magnificently.
Philadelphia Inquirer by Carrie Rickey
Persepolis, the superb film based on Satrapi's graphic memoirs of the same name, is a riveting odyssey in pictures and words. It's unlike any journal you've read or any animated movie you've seen.
Seattle Post-Intelligencer by Sean Axmaker
Fascinating memoir of coming of age in Iran.
The A.V. Club by Noel Murray
The two main points Persepolis makes are that strife is relative, and all politics are personal.
The Hollywood Reporter by Kirk Honeycutt
The filmmakers were right to believe that a live-action version of this story would have failed to achieve the universality Persepolis does.
Village Voice
Persepolis is a small landmark in feature animation. Not because of technical innovation--though it moves fluidly enough, and its drawings have a handcrafted charm forgotten in the era of the cross-promoted-to-saturation CGI-'toon juggernauts--but because it translates a sensitive, introspective, true-to-life, "adult" comic story into moving pictures.
Variety by Lisa Nesselson
This autobiographical tour de force is completely accessible and art of a very high order.
Los Angeles Times by Carina Chocano
A familiar story set in an unfamiliar context, it's a paean to the universality of human experience, a testament to the endurance of individuality during great political and fanatical upheaval, and a reminder that even the most complex situations, identities and stories are heartbreakingly simple.
New York Post by V.A. Musetto
It is a vivid, at times heartbreaking, portrait of a life and a nation in crisis.
The New Yorker by Anthony Lane
There is no denying the boldness of Persepolis, both in design and in moral complaint, but there must surely be moments, in Marjane’s life as in ours, that cry out for cross-hatching and the grown-up grayness of doubt.
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