The Salesman

This year's Oscar winner for Best Foreign Language Film, Asghar Farhadi's (who also won for 2011's A Separation) marital drama centers on Emad (Shahab Hosseini) and Rana Etesamis (Taraneh Alidoosti), who are forced to evacuate their crumbling Tehran apartment and move into a more dilapidated abode that was previously occupied by a single woman with a young child. The clutter left behind by the former tenant gives subtle clues as to the promiscuous life that she led. Emad and Rana are actors appearing in an amateur theater company's production of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. But there are problems translating the blunt sexuality of this American classic for an Iranian audience, particularly due to local censors. One day, when Emad is out, the doorbell rings, and thinking it's her husband, Rana unlocks the front door and takes a shower. But it turns out to be a stranger who brutally assaults her and flees, leaving his keys and his minivan outside. Rana did not see her attacker (nor do viewers). When Emad suggests going to the police, emotionally devastated Rana refuses, knowing that she would have to justify why she left the door open and fearing that her reputation would suffer. Rana feels shamed, guilty, and afraid to be alone, while enraged Emad is determined to track down the intruder and wreak revenge. Farhadi builds a suspenseful thriller that is haunted by themes of inadequacy, intimacy, and respect. Offering an engrossing, empathetic commentary on contemporary Iranian society, this is highly recommended. Editor's Choice. [Note: DVD/Blu-ray extras include a conversation with writer-director Asghar Farhadi (16 min.). Bottom line: a decent extras package for this Oscar-winning foreign drama.] (S. Granger)