Capsule reviews for Dec. 20

The Past

The latest intimate examination of domestic strife from Oscar-winning Iranian director Asghar Farhadi (A Separation) isn’t about couples getting together or breaking up, but rather all the messy details in between. It follows a Parisian mother (Berenice Bejo) whose life with her new boyfriend (Tahar Rahim) is thrown into turmoil when her estranged Persian husband (Ali Mosaffa) returns to finalize the divorce. The resulting interaction causes everybody involved, including the children, to confront past secrets and tragedies. The concept is somewhat contrived, but the authenticity of the dialogue and the performances gives the material a universal resonance without resorting to cheap sentimentality or happy endings. (Rated PG-13, 130 minutes).

The Selfish Giant

The influence of venerable British filmmaker Ken Loach can be felt in this working-class drama about teenage friends Arbor (Conner Chapman) and Swifty (Shaun Thomas), both products of rough upbringings who become involved with stealing copper wire for an unscrupulous metals dealer (Sean Gilder) as a way to make a few bucks. But conflicting motives and shifting loyalties threaten their relationship. The screenplay by rookie director Clio Bernard resonates with raw authenticity, helped along by expressive performances from both young actors. Although it fizzles somewhat at the end, the film captures the crossroads between economic desperation and childhood innocence with an insightful and poignant impact. (Not rated, 90 minutes).

Walking With Dinosaurs

This 3D mix of live-action and animation is anything but old-fashioned, as it aims to recreate life among the dinosaurs through the formulaic underdog story of a young Pachyrhinosaurus who is best identified by a hole in his ear that makes him an outcast in his herd. The visual effects are impressively seamless, but the forced humor in the dialogue among the creatures — including a motor-mouthed bird narrator — seems tailored only to those with short-attention spans. The film makes a point of identifying the various species by category, which is nice, but with such a low-brow mentality, it makes any educational efforts seem disingenuous. (Rated PG, 87 minutes).