PERSEPOLIS

Pictures coutesy of Sony Pictures Classics
The life and experiences of an Iranian women post 1979 Iran are detailed in the Oscar nominated, PERSEPOLIS. PERSEPOLIS is nominated for Best Animated Feature at this year’s Academy Awards and follows the life of protagonist Marji, a twenty-something Iranian recollecting back to her upbringing. She recalls basic childhood memories, unique family members and the political uproar surrounding her country.

Make no bones about it PERSEPOLIS believes it’s an important portrait of Iran during the tumultuous decades of the 80’s, 90’s and the new millennium. This self-aware animated feature wears its importance on its sleeve, while delivering a fairly straightforward personal and political drama. Marji is an intelligent, sharp-witted woman who is also very cynical and downbeat. Part of her personality traits are no doubt defined by her rugged encounters in Iran, but are not limited to her experiences. The fact that the central character in a personal, coming-of-age story is ultimately unlikable hurts the central conceit of PERSEPOLIS. Add an anti-American slant, and several tame jokes centered on Marji’s grandmother’s unsupportive bosom, and PERSEPOLIS can be chalked up as an ambitious, but failed exercise in the world of animation. Oscar voters undoubtedly were taken in by the serious nature of the subject matter, but failed to notice that the execution in telling the tale was off.

Grade: C