Watch an Emotional Reunion in ‘Past Lives’ | Anatomy of a Scene

A reunion takes on surprising emotional depth in this sequence from the drama “Past Lives.”

Shot in Manhattan’s Madison Square Park, the sequence begins as the character Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), waits for the arrival of a childhood sweetheart he hasn’t seen in person in 24 years, Nora (Greta Lee).

“The thing that we were trying to capture here is this sense of anxiety and excitement, some kind of mix of both, of waiting for your old friend,” said the film’s writer and director, Celine Song, narrating the scene.
When Nora arrives, the moment continues to play out almost wordlessly. “The way that I wrote this in the script is that, it’s as though he is seeing a ghost. And she’s also seeing a ghost.”

As the two awkwardly interact, they mostly maintain a distance, and the camera (with cinematography by Shabier Kirchner) moves back and forth to spend time with each individual while they are in conversation. Song said that in this scene, she wanted to keep both the characters and the audience in a state of longing and happiness.

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[Jaycee]

Teo Yoo was the real gem in this film. If it wasn't for his subtle mannerisms -- just his acting overall -- the movie would not have had the emotional weight it carried.

Hae Sung's character carried the heaviest burden if we're being honest. He had to sit on that unrequited love essentially since Nora left, and all the way to the end when he left to return home. Heart-breaking, and absolutely relatable for a lot of men.

[Coco-zuob]

Teo Yoo's body language in that scene is exquisite. In the whole movie actually. His eyes and body tell his whole story.

[Animaxx]

I love the silences between the two lead because it felt like there's nothing to say while having so much to say.

[Artsaveslives]

This whole movie felt so intimate and was filmed so beautifully. It felt at points like I was intruding in someone’s very personal lives and I wanted to look away but just couldn’t. It was so gut wrenching, 10/10

[attabooii]

I love how Nora talks about "I wonder what we were to each other in a past life" but Hae Sung says this is one of the many meetings before we marry in a future life. And that just says so much of how they each view their relationship. Nora was always leaving, always moving on. But Hae Sung could never forget was always hopeful it would work. But despite this, it doesn't make it any less devastating for Nora to grieve the life they could've had

[valeriamattos]

I can't get over that childhood shot of them going on a date because they are wearing the same colors now as adults. a painful parallel so beautifully done. I'll be thinking about this movie for a long long time.

[catwearingshades]

movie felt like watching real people, there’s a quiet and subtle sadness in the ending which made it so heartbreaking. one of my favorite romance movies ever.

[marthaa]

I wept in the theater, I wept leaving the theater, and then I wept in my bed about two hours post-theater. this film shattered me into pieces so it could put me back together again. the silent cut here to their childhood date was the first time I gasped aloud — and the first time I could feel tears start to build. this film is the best I've watched in…ever. thank you, Celine and Greta and Teo and John and all of the crew for putting this masterpiece together.

[baowow]

This scene absolutely broke me because of how honest this scene was. The work of these actors was phenomenal

[vanessab]

This film deserved more at the Golden Globes and the Critics Choice awards. The writing, acting, cinematography and the realism are outstanding. For me, the best movie of the last year

[tiffanyc]

This movie was remarkable. So tender. So profound. Heartbreaking but incredibly gentle. I loved hearing Song’s insights. Thank you!

[RT-xjel]

Amazing film. Blown away with how this simple story created such a huge emotional punch. A credit to Celine Song and all of the actors.

[flylpp]

The last scene she wasn't only saying goodbye to Hae Sung, but also saying goodbye to a part of herself.

[MarcusKatzAuthor]

I'm not sure how much I cried because of the narrative, the relationships, and the reality of the story, or that I cried because of how bloody clever the whole thing was, from the writing, the direction, the cinematography, the sound, the lighting, the acting, the absolute pureness of intention that grips you, but I am glad I watched this and glad I cried.

[brianng]

Wow, the body acting is beautiful from Teo Yoo while he is waiting… the little gestures…

The acting is amazing all around. Because the Asian/Korean culture is more reserved, everything has to be more subtle; it is harder than being loud and over the top acting/roles.

[opalartemis]

I’ve watched this film at least three times since opening week and man it just gets better the more and more I watch and notice the little things that are subtly imbedded yet add so much more depth to the characters and their story. I can do a whole deep dive on colour and how I feel like it’s being used but The way Past Lives makes me feel and strikes the chords unseen in my chest is so healing.

[puellasselcouth]

Teo Yoo was amazing in this movie. His acting was very good, his emotions, everythingggg

[Edward_Cruz]

This scene definitely captured both anxiety and excitement for me. I kept seeing the two of them as those children again and when she finally hugged him, it was all so real, I started crying. Such masterful execution!

[alfiemarie]

this movie is so hauntingly beautiful. that one powerful scene in the movie still remains with me...

[jeanncarlosmendez]

Cant stop thinking about this masterpiece. They don’t need to talk sometimes just to express how they feel after so so many years. And at the end it’s the same thing you can hear their goodbyes in their eyes and it’s so so sentimental