My Thumb Way Up: Persepolis

Animated; French with English Subtitles

Persepolis finally found its way to our area after a limited release beginning at Christmas in NYC and L.A. It is the poignant story of a young girl in Iran during the Islamic Revolution. It is through the eyes of this precocious and outspoken nine-year-old Marjane as she grows up that we see the changes that take place in the Iran of our lifetimes.

The title Persepolis comes from the Persian capital founded in the 6th century BC by Darius I, later destroyed by Alexander the Great, that reminds us that there's an old and grand civilization that has been besieged by waves of invaders but continues to carry on through time.

What I Liked
• Unique animation style, mostly in black-and-white which lends itself wonderfully to inspiring drama, that focuses your attention on the crucial elements of the story while the backgrounds are beautifully drawn.
• The strong and honest relationship between Marjane and her grandmother.
• A view of the Iranian Islamic Revolution as seen by someone who lived through it: why they didn't like the Shah, why they supported the revolution, and how it all went terribly wrong.
• Beyond the overarching theme of Iranian societal realignments, we see how these wrenching changes affect the individual who has to absorb upheaval and find the strength and path to move forward. Does one ever overcome that psychological damage?
• I learned a lot and it added one more shade of gray to the picture of the Middle East.
• The Islamists' true colors are shown, but the United States doesn't get off easy. While you may bristle at those who say the U.S. brings a lot of its problems on itself, you can't deny that it is an opinion held by many. (I always separate the idea of America from those Americans who find their way into power and pervert its essence. Kinda like spirituality isn't bad, but those that practice religion sure can be.)
• Can you be attracted to a two-dimensional, black-and-white cartoon? Marjane's Dad is a handsome man.

What I Didn't Like
• I think the trailer made this seem like a light, feel-good movie. While there are moments of comedy and endearment, it is a serious exploration of a serious subject...particularly in the first half of the film.

If you don't like the History Channel, CNN, or A&E, you're not likely to enjoy the movie. I, on the other hand, am a news junkie that gets off on understanding why people think the way they do, so I really enjoyed Persepolis and give it my thumb way up.