'A Hero' Review: Deception Mounts As The Will To Do Good Becomes A Struggle In Oscar Winner Asghar Farhadi's Captivating Iranian Drama

Arlington TX

09 January, 2022

7:37 PM

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By Joe Friar, Fort Worth Report January 9, 2022 There is a common thread in Iranian writer-director Asghar Farhadi's work. He creates characters that exist in gray areas, with no clear heroes or villains. It's a reflection of real-life, giving authenticity and complexity to the story which makes for captivating cinema. In "A Hero" our protagonist Rahim (Amir Jadidi) is on a two-day prison furlough during which he plans to convince his unrelenting creditor Braham (Mohsen Tanabandeh) to forgive his debt by getting a job, asking for forgiveness, and paying back some of the money. His strategy hits a snag that involves a bag of gold coins, a good deed, mounting deception, an accomplice girlfriend, a charitable organization, corrupt officials, and a killer smile. Not necessarily in that order. The setting, Shiraz the city of poets in southwestern Iran where towering historical monuments are part of the landscape including Naghsh-e-Rostam a believed Persepolis royal cemetery carved into the side of a mountain. It's the first place Rahim visits during his 48-hour furlough to reconnect with his brother-in-law Hossein (Alireza Jahandideh) who promises to help Rahim find a job. Hossein will eventually become the story's VIP. His good-natured temperament and level head help deescalate the plethora of situations caused by Rahim's behavior. The trouble started three years ago after Rahim borrowed money from a loan shark to start a business. When he couldn't pay it back, his father-in-law Braham had to use his daughter's dowry to pay off the debt. Rahim's marriage dissolved and he found himself in prison after failing to pay back Braham, who understandably still holds a grudge. Sahar Goldust delivers a terrific performance as Rahim's secret fiancé Farkhondeh. She finds a lost handbag filled with 17 gold coins. Rahim's troubles are over! They can sell the coins to pay back Braham who they hope will drop the charges, so Rahim won't have to return to prison. When they get the coins appraised it's not enough to pay off the debt. When Braham refuses to budge (he wants the full amount owed or nothing), Rahim comes up with Plan B, as in blunder. To read the full article, click here. Fort Worth Report is a nonpartisan, nonprofit news organization that produces factual, in-depth journalism about city and county government, schools, healthcare, business, and arts and culture in Tarrant County. Always free to read; subscribe to newsletters, read coverage or support our newsroom at fortworthreport.org.