Deepak Kandasamy

"Passages (2023) explores the challenges faced by a gay couple when one of them becomes involved with a woman. Franz Rogowski and Ben Whishaw portray the central characters, while Adele Exarchopoulos takes on the role of a young woman named Agathe. The film begins with Tomas (Franz), a director completing his final film scene, and unfolds as he navigates an affair with Agathe. Simultaneously, Martin (Ben) engages in a relationship with another man. The movie delves into the consequences when these secrets are revealed, creating a love tragedy within a gay couple. As a casual viewer, the film may not resonate as expected, addressing a sensitive topic with a sensible approach that avoids the discomfort of a more graphic portrayal. Despite the well-staged scenes and cinematography by Josee Deshaies, the emotional impact falls short, particularly in the character development of Martin. Adele's portrayal of Agathe's emotional journey adds depth, but the film's focus on Tomas and Agathe leaves Martin's character less explored. The screenplay, written by Ira Sachs, Mauricio Zacharias, and Arlette Langmann, weaves a narrative that touches on the pains and struggles of love in a somewhat superficial manner. While the film is a feel-good romantic drama with smooth editing by Sophie Reine, it misses the opportunity for a more profound exploration of Martin's character, keeping the audience at arm's length from his emotional journey."