The amazing thing about movies is their ability to transport us to anywhere imaginable. The old west; alternate universes; high school libraries, etc. At their best, seeing the world of a film reveal itself to be what we did or didn’t expect can be a magical, singular experience. In her profound directorial debut, playwright Celine Song does just this, crafting a story with so much depth, thought, and emotion that it reminds you of what being human actually feels like. The decades-spanning story of Nora, a Korean girl who immigrates to Canada, and then to the U.S., and Hae Sung her crush left behind at 12 years old, calls back to classics like In The Mood For Love and the Before Trilogy, but Song’s film is entirely and perfectly her own. Surprising and tangible in equal measure, it earns your trust one scene after the next through its utter control and intelligence, until you’re squirming to know what happens next. Led by an absolutely breathtaking performance from Greta Lee, the film is an accumulation of subtleties; what at first glance seems like a worthy contender for at-home viewing demands to be seen on the biggest screen, as the smallest of movements carry the heftiest of blows. Notes for Teo Yoo and John Magaro are just as deserving, bringing stunning tenderness to male characters who are rarely given such a gift. Song’s pictures and words somehow go even deeper, entangling the past, present, and future to drive our minds and question, truly, who we each are when we pass through the life of another person. It’s almost too real to be believed, and it’s one of the best movies I’ve seen in years.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️1/2

Available in limited theaters now. Wide release June 23.