There are a few moments here and there that get a bit repetitive, but, there is always a sense that Farhadi is firmly in control of the narrative. The setting in Iran is also cleverly woven into the fabric of the storytelling with its notions of family honor and treatment of women being key subtexts. Farhadi includes current technology such as social media, but, at it's heart, it's a tale of a man and his choices. The screenplay evokes classic Italian Neo-realism where something as innocent as buying a pair of shoes can create a whole complex journey around it (an example which the great screenwriter Cesare Zavattini himself used). The title itself ironically invokes what happens to Rahim's reputation - as well as those of his family and anybody else who are drawn into his entanglements. The notions of 'good' and 'bad' are far less important than the moral and ethical implications. The auteur weaves a complex web of motivations into the most elemental of deeds. Every thought and glance - let alone action - has consequences (as does inaction).
With Farhadi, nothing is ever as simple as it seems. The valuables could go a long way to helping him pay off his debt - and possibly lead to his release so he can return to his son and fiancee Farkhondeh (Sahar Goldust). The finder here is Rahim (Amir Jadidi) who is on leave from debtor's prison when he comes into possession of the loot.
Can one do a good deed even if it's under false pretenses? If so, is it still "heroic"? Superb Writer-Director Asghar Farhadi's (A SEPARATION, SALESMAN) latest is based on the simplest of premises: A man discovers a lost bag containing gold.
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