Passages Synopsis & Review: Plot Summary

🎯 Quick Overview

😅 Plot Summary – Badly Explained

A self-absorbed filmmaker bounces between his husband and a new girlfriend until everyone realizes he’s exhausting and they all dump him.

🍿 Passages: Detailed Plot Synopsis

The Affair Begins

The film opens with Tomas, a film director, completing his latest project. During the wrap party, he meets Agathe, a schoolteacher, and begins an affair with her. This affair quickly escalates, creating tension between Tomas and his husband, Martin. Tomas’s impulsive nature sets the stage for a volatile and emotionally charged narrative, exploring the complexities of desire and commitment.

Shifting Dynamics

As Tomas becomes more involved with Agathe, Martin seeks solace and connection elsewhere, starting a relationship with Amad. The film then delves into the emotional fallout of these relationships, highlighting themes of jealousy, betrayal, and the search for identity. The characters grapple with their desires and the consequences of their choices, leading to a complex interplay of emotions.

Pregnancy and Conflict

The situation intensifies when Agathe becomes pregnant, further complicating the already strained relationships. Tomas attempts to reconcile his relationships with both Martin and Agathe, proposing unconventional arrangements. This leads to increased conflict and emotional turmoil, forcing each character to confront their own desires and limitations. The narrative explores the challenges of navigating love and commitment in a non-traditional context.

⚠️ Spoilers and Ending Explained

🎬 Cast & Characters

• Tomas Freiburg (Franz Rogowski): A self-absorbed and impulsive filmmaker whose marriage is thrown into turmoil when he begins an affair with a woman.
• Martin (Ben Whishaw): Tomas’s husband, a commercial artist, who struggles to cope with Tomas’s infidelity and seeks connection elsewhere.
• Agathe (Adèle Exarchopoulos): A young schoolteacher who becomes entangled in a passionate affair with Tomas, leading to unexpected consequences.
• Amad (Erwan Kepoa Falé): A novelist who becomes involved with Martin as Martin navigates the complexities of his relationship with Tomas.

💬 Memorable Quotes

• Tomas: “Agathe is pregnant.” – Tomas matter-of-factly informs Martin about Agathe’s pregnancy, a pivotal moment in their unraveling marriage.
• Martin: “Did you sleep with me to tell me that?” – Martin’s cutting response to Tomas reveals the deep hurt and betrayal he feels.
• Agathe: “I realized I would disappear among the three of us.” – Agathe explains her decision to have an abortion, highlighting the impossibility of maintaining her identity in the love triangle.
• Amad: “Neither of you will survive this relationship.” – Amad, after being dumped, gives a very accurate assessment of the toxic relationship between Tomas and Martin.

💰Box Office

• Budget: N/A
• Domestic Gross: $551,611
• Worldwide Gross: $1,116,810

💥 Passages Reviews

Personal Review

As a fan of relationship dramas, ‘Passages’ hit me hard. The film felt incredibly real, and I found myself empathizing with all three main characters, even when they were making terrible decisions. The scene where Agathe reveals her decision to Martin was particularly heartbreaking. It is worth seeing for anyone who has ever struggled with love, commitment, and figuring out who they are.

• Who would enjoy:
  • “Fans of independent and arthouse cinema”
  • “Viewers interested in complex relationship dramas”
  • “Audiences who appreciate films with nuanced character studies”
  • “Those interested in LGBTQ+ themes and narratives”
• Content warnings ⚠:
  • “Explicit sexual content”
  • “Nudity”
  • “Mature themes”
  • “Discussion of abortion”
  • “Strong language”

Professional Reviews

• IndieWire: “Ira Sachs delivers a raw and intimate portrayal of a crumbling marriage, fueled by Franz Rogowski’s magnetic performance. ‘Passages’ dives deep into the complexities of desire and commitment, offering a compelling, albeit uncomfortable, viewing experience. The performances elevate the film beyond simple melodrama.
• Collider.com: “Passages explores the challenging topic of modern relationships with sensitivity and boldness. Performances from Rogowski, Whishaw and Exarchopoulos capture all of the complex issues, leaving audiences reflecting about themselves. A master class in building a film around an unlikable character

Audience Reactions

Adèle Exarchopoulos delivers a powerful and moving performance.: The raw honesty of the relationship dynamics resonated deeply with viewers.

The sexual honesty made me squirm, but also felt very real and necessary.: Applauded for its unflinching portrayal of modern relationships and sexuality.

Overall Consensus: ‘Passages’ is a provocative and emotionally charged film that explores the complexities of love, desire, and commitment. While some find the characters unlikeable, most agree that the performances are excellent and the film offers valuable insights into the challenges of modern relationships.

Awards

🛠️ Behind the Scenes

• “The film was initially rejected by both the Cannes Film Festival and the Venice Film Festival before premiering at the Sundance Film Festival 2023.”
• “Director Ira Sachs gave the actors a great deal of autonomy to explore their characters’ emotions within the framework of the script.”
• “The film delves into the complexities of modern relationships and fluid sexuality, sparking discussions about commitment, identity, and personal freedom.”
• “The film contains explicit scenes of sexual intimacy, which has generated a lot of conversations about freedom of expression and censorship.”

🖥️ How to Watch Passages?

As of October 2024, “Passages” is available for streaming on platforms like Mubi. It can also be rented or purchased on demand via services such as Apple TV, Google Play Movies, and Amazon Prime Video. Check local listings for availability in your region, as distribution deals may vary.

🎥 Similar Movies

If you enjoyed Passages, you might like these similar films:

• Jules and Jim (1962): Explores a complex love triangle with shifting affections and unconventional relationships.
• Love is Strange (2014): Also directed by Ira Sachs, it delves into the intricacies of a long-term gay relationship facing unexpected challenges.
• Sunday, Bloody Sunday (1971): Examines the complexities of a love triangle involving a bisexual man and his relationships with a man and a woman.
• Call Me By Your Name (2017): Explores themes of desire, identity, and the complexities of relationships through a coming-of-age love story.
• The Dreamers (2003): A cult classic that explores complex relationships and sexual dynamics amidst a backdrop of personal and political upheaval.

🛒 Passages Related Products

• The Criterion Collection: Ira Sachs: Three Films [Blu-ray]: This collector’s set features three earlier works from Ira Sachs: ‘Forty Shades of Blue’, ‘Married Life’, and ‘Keep the Lights On’, providing a deeper dive into the director’s exploration of relationships and identity.
• Ben Whishaw: Collected Plays: Volume 1: This collection features several plays written by the talented actor Ben Whishaw who played Martin. He won the Golden Globe for Supporting Actor in a limited series or movie for his performance in A Very English Scandal.
• Love Is Strange [Blu-ray] (2014) – Ira Sachs (Director): The DVD of Love is Strange showcases Ira Sachs’ approach to directing. This 2014 Drama portrays the complexities of relationships.
• Paris Movie Poster: Enjoy a framed poster that showcases the filming location of the movie Passages. Many scenes of Passages were filmed in Paris, France.

🎧 Soundtrack

Passages features a captivating soundtrack that enhances the movie’s atmosphere and emotional impact. Here are some notable tracks:

• “Won’t You Buy My Sweet Blooming Lavender” – performed by Janet Penfold

You can find the complete soundtrack on Amazon Music and Apple Music.

🤨 FAQ

🔥 Bonus Content

Four Favorites with Passages stars Adèle Exarchopoulos and Ben Whishaw #shorts

Ever wonder what your favorite actors are *really* like? This quick chat with Adèle and Ben from ‘Passages’ gives you a peek into their favorite things! I was surprised by Ben’s pick – check it out!

✨ Rate