Customer Reviews
Missed opportunity to educate about the revolution. - By: RSM, 11 Nov 2008 
Disappointing. I expected quite a lot of detail about lifein Iran & the oppressions forced upon the people following the deposition of the Shahin the late 70's. What followed was really just the most cursory glance at the changing culture, before the 'heroine' Marjane hastily departed for Europe. The subsequent university years were much more about growing up & self-discovery, & told me next to nothing about the impact of the establishment of the islamic republic back home. A watchable film - but not really Oscar material,in my opinion.
rather so-so - By: C. Cresswell, 11 Oct 2008 rather middle of the roadin all areas. the central character of the story, Marjane, does not stand out as a great person or someone anyone can really sympathise with, simply an ordinary personin a difficult situation. but we never really get anything more than anyone who watches the news should expect. yes, there is always a liberal undercurrent resisting a dictatorship but marjane is an observer rather than a participant, & a limited observer at that.
neither the animation or musical score improves the film to any great degree. adequate comes to mind. & the other staple of resistance to oppression, some humour, rarely featuresin the film (although it was played upin the ads for the film).
this was watchable but rent it rather than buy it, or watch something else which will leave a bigger impact.
Easy to criticize, but ... - By: Midasin, 26 Sep 2008 
Some reviewers have criticized Marjane for seemingly complaining that the Iranian regime tried to stop her & her associates from partying. I would not defend partying of this kind, but it is evident that these critical reviewers have not had the experience of living under a tyrannical regime. I would not wish it on anyone. To dissociate oneself from a pervasive & dominant foli à plusieurs is incredibly difficult & many people go insanein the attempt or commit suicide.
In fact this book & DVD is very helpfulin understanding how many people inevitably reactin a repressive, authoritarian regime when trying to maintain a personal integrity. If you squeeze a balloonin one place, it will splurge outin another - oftenin an unpalatable way. What amazes me is how dissidents manage to remain sanein authoritarian regimes of this nature. The author, & her family, should be commended for having done so. It also takes courage to produce an account of this sort.
I would unreservedly recommend "Persepolis", bothin book form &in DVD format, despite the inevitable unpalatability of some of the content. It may be uncomfortable, but it should function a warning to us as to what could happenin the UK unless we face reality now & stop engagingin denial.
All style, little content........ - By: Chancery Stone, 07 Sep 2008 I had read several reviews of this film before I saw it, & had come to expect something both cutting edge & offering a unique insight into the Iranian situation.
Instead I found a rather flat-footed retelling of the Iranian revolution where the height of the insight was that 'evil' regimes oppress women & don't let people have parties.
Nothingin this film tells us anything we don't already know, & instead of getting a sense that the Ayatollah genuinely infringed civil liberties or repressed free speech, he came across as nasty party pooper who won't let our heroine have a social life.
She comes across just a tiny bit brattish rather than a genuine rebel & her outspokenness appears to be limited to one speechin a lecture theatre & some faux rebellions.
Although the animation is striking, it still doesn't feel very original, & the whole thing simply resembles a graphic novel (which I believe it is), but morein the sense that it's a simplified for 13 year-olds & is more concerned with making sure it doesn't alienate them than actually provoking thought or educating them.
Maybe I expected too much of, but it was just so-what for me. Disappointing.
I Wanted to Like It.... - By: Maxillus, 01 Sep 2008 Watch Video Here: http://www.amazon.co.uk/review/RVIP3097VYUV8 Persepolis [2008]I wanted to like this film but.....
