Romance comes alive in ‘Past Lives’

Above : Teo Yoo and Greta Lee star in “Past Lives,” which is scheduled to open on Friday. (Photo/A24)

One of the most dependable movie genres involves romance. Often, it’s a romantic comedy. But just as often it’s romantic drama – and not just with a happy ending.

For every “When Harry Met Sally” there’s a “Blue Valentine.”

“Past Lives,” which is scheduled to open at least at AMC River Park Square on Friday, seems to fall somewhere in between. Written and directed by Celine Song, the film focuses on two Korean-born characters – one a happily married woman (Greta Lee), the other her intimate childhood friend (Ted Woo) – who meet up years later.

Will their reconnection end up happy? Sad? A bit of both? As I haven’t yet seen it, I can’t say. But several national critics have and do:

Moira MacDonald of the Seattle Times wrote, “It’s a film full of quiet magic; of the power of words not spoken, and the enduring strength of love.”

Ann Hornaday of the Washington Post wrote, “Celine Song makes a quietly spectacular writing-directing debut with ‘Past Lives,’ a lyrical slow burn of a film that expertly holds back wellsprings of emotion, until it unleashes a deluge.”

And Michael Phillips of the Chicago Tribune wrote, “It’s a rare movie that settles, quietly, into some part of your own experiences and memories without a speck of narrative contrivance gumming up your response to the story on the screen.”

I can’t wait to find out what response I’m likely to have.