Passages, 2023.
Written and Directed by Ira Sachs.
Starring Franz Rogowski, Ben Whishaw, Adèle Exarchopoulos, Erwan Kepoa Falé, Radostina Rogliano, Théo Cholbi, Arcadi Radeff, Léa Boublil, Thibault Carterot, Tony Daoud, Theo Gabilloux, Anton Salachas, Sarah Lisbonis, William Nadylam, Caroline Chaniolleau, and Olivier Rabourdin.
SYNOPSIS:
A gay couple’s marriage is thrown into crisis when one of them impulsively begins a passionate affair with a young woman.
This piece was written during the 2023 WGA and SAG-AFTRA strike. Without the labor of the writers and actors currently on strike, Passages wouldn’t exist.
There’s a deep fascination with the lead character in Ira Sachs’ erotic drama Passages. Played by German treasure Franz Rogowski, Tomas is a controlling, demanding filmmaker located in contemporary Paris who expresses the same personality traits outside that occupation. A gay man, he is also in a relationship with his partner Martin (Ben Whishaw) but apparently exhibits toxic behavior (more so than usual) upon finishing shooting a movie.
The latest instance comes when he meets Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos) at a party, instantly striking up a sexual relationship that reasonably frustrates Martin, threatening their love once and for all. During this uncertainty, Martin jumps back into the dating pool, growing close to a writer who seems much more available and stable for a relationship, triggering a fit of jealousy within Tomas.
Passages would be an insufferable watch from the perspective of an offputting narcissist if acted by potentially anyone else. Perceiving these relationships from the outside but with just enough information, and, most importantly, truthful observations, it’s easy to pinpoint all the mistakes these characters make with their love lives (whether it’s letting someone in or taking someone back), roll one’s eyes, and quickly reach a point of not wanting any of these people to find happiness on behalf of their stupidity.
However, Franz Rogowski is self-absorbed to a hilarious degree but also walks a tightrope with emotional honesty. It doesn’t feel like a coincidence that Agathe is an elementary school teacher, as when the relationship falls apart, leaving Tomas devastated and pleading to be taken back, he also feels like the biggest child in the school. What better way to portray narcissism? There’s a patheticness to Tomas that makes him compulsively interesting, even if it’s clear from the beginning how this extremely European soap opera is going to end. Like all movies, the execution is what matters most, and it’s undeniably absorbing here.
There is also the matter of why Tomas wants to have an affair with a woman, despite proclaiming to Martin he loves being with a man. At one point, he considers starting a family with Agathe, seemingly lying to himself that he is ready to take on that responsibility, and denying or outright ignoring the complicated love triangle he has willingly put himself in. Passages leave some of that characterization to be desired, operating mostly to explore these characters’ impulses and sexual escapades (despite the NC-17 rating, what is here isn’t particularly graphic, although it is brimming with authentic lust and passion).
For as seductive and steamy as Passages is, there is a desire to learn more about the inner lives of these characters rather than a brisk 90-minute narrative that hits all the juiciest pieces of drama in rapid succession. That mostly never comes, although the emotional pain Tomas inflicts on everyone naïve enough to get close to him is palpable. Serious developments and consequences here deserve more time to feel their weight properly. Although, when taking Passages strictly as the Franz Rogowski show, it delivers on engaging, maddening self-destruction where it’s impossible not to laugh at such narcissism.
Flickering Myth Rating – Film: ★ ★ ★ / Movie: ★ ★ ★ ★
Robert Kojder is a member of the Chicago Film Critics Association and the Critics Choice Association. He is also the Flickering Myth Reviews Editor. Check here for new reviews, follow my Twitter or Letterboxd, or email me at MetalGearSolid719@gmail.com
