Watch The Salesman

The Salesman is a 2016 Iranian drama film written and directed by Asghar Farhadi. The movie follows the lives of Emad (Shahab Hosseini) and Rana (Taraneh Alidoosti), a married couple who are both actors and are also preparing for a local production of Arthur Miller's Death of a Salesman. They are forced to vacate their home after its structural integrity is compromised by construction work in a neighboring building, and move into a new apartment. However, the previous tenant of the apartment was a sex worker, which leads to serious consequences for the couple.

The film opens with a powerful scene where the building shakes violently, leaving cracks in the walls and floors. This scene sets the unsettling tone for the rest of the film. As the couple moves into their new apartment, they gradually become aware of its previous tenant's occupation, and feel the sense of violation that comes with it. They find hidden objects left behind by the tenant, including a set of keys, a carving knife, and a piece of clothing. These objects become haunting reminders of the previous tenant's life, and the couple cannot shake the feeling of being watched by her.

The couple's lives are further shaken when Rana is attacked inside their apartment, by someone who believes they are entering the previous tenant's apartment. The attack leaves her traumatized and injured, and Emad becomes consumed with the need to find the perpetrator. As he investigates, Emad begins to unravel the intricate web of lies and secrets that the previous tenant had kept hidden, and he becomes increasingly fixated on his own sense of justice and revenge. He is torn between his desire to protect Rana and his own ego, which becomes bruised when he realizes that he cannot protect her as well as he thought he could.

Meanwhile, the production of Death of a Salesman continues, and the themes of home and family become even more poignant as Emad and Rana's own sense of security and sense of self come under attack. The play's themes of disillusionment and betrayal become intertwined with Emad and Rana's own story, as they struggle to navigate their new reality.

One of the most striking aspects of The Salesman is the stunning performances by Hosseini and Alidoosti, who bring an incredible intensity and depth to their roles. Hosseini's portrayal of Emad is particularly powerful, as he grapples with his own sense of masculinity and vulnerability. Farhadi's direction is also incredibly sharp and nuanced, as he expertly weaves together the various subplots and themes to create a cohesive and emotionally resonant whole.

Overall, The Salesman is a gripping and thought-provoking drama that explores themes of home, identity, and justice with incredible sensitivity and complexity. Its haunting imagery and powerful performances make it a film that will stay with viewers long after the credits roll.

The Salesman is a 2017 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 5 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7 and a MetaScore of 85.