A Very Ordinary Citizen

About This Movie

A Very Ordinary Citizen is this quiet, introspective drama that really takes its time with Mr. Safari’s life. This 80-year-old pensioner is adrift, and the way his world spirals once he fixates on that travel agent is kind of unsettling. The pacing is measured, letting the viewer really soak in his isolation as well as his obsession. You can almost feel the weight of his loneliness through the sparse yet effective cinematography. The performances, especially by the lead, carry a rawness that makes the whole situation feel terrifyingly real. Co-written by Jafar Panahi, it has that subtle, layered storytelling that challenges you to think. It’s distinctive in how it captures the nuances of human connection—or the lack thereof.

Atmospheric exploration of lonelinessPacing allows for deep character studySubtle yet impactful performances