I hardly ever give any movie a 10. I just finished watching it, so far I can't think of anything that it can improve. I think that it has done perfectly.

I am also surprised to see the Modern iran city. It is just like anywhere in the modern world. They have freeways, skyscrapers, modern utilities, etc.

Leila is a good sad actress. It is unfortunate that women in Iran are still forced to accept their husband's new wives. The whole movie is a sad tune, it just makes me feel sad after watching the movie.

Ingmar Bergman would be proud of this film that enters the soul of an Iranian woman and effects the heart of those who observe. Set in upper-suburbia Teheran where life for Leila takes a turn when she finds herself unable to have children. This has an affect on her marriage caused by outside interference of the family. Leila wants to keep the peace and goes along with the charade of getting her husband a second wife to have children with, a situation that affects everyone. The camera catches the distinct feature of the actors as an over abundance of dialogue takes over. But the dialogue, (with some bad subtitles that is easily overlooked),carries the story onwards while we the audience enter Leila's tormented mind which is the centre stage of this beautifully crafted piece of cinema. Occasionally you want to kick Leila and tell her to get her act together and rebel against her husband's family. But tradition has a hold of her and she remains silent, sending herself into a slow deteriorating state of existence. A tradition that I can almost relate too.

Filmmaker Dariush Mehrjui has given us a stylish, thoughtful and moving Iranian film, "Leila" 1998. Anyone can easily appreciate the storyline, and most of all, women can empathize with central heroine Leila, the emotional journey that she is going through. Actress Leila Hatami captured the role of Leila, the young capable wife, to perfect tempo. Actor Ali Mosaffa comparably portrayed her loving supportive husband Reza. Together they put us at ease even when we see them arguing or frustrated by his mother's interfering calls - we somehow felt they would pull through. Or would they? Can Leila withstand her mother in law's insistence? Her silence to her own parents about her 'secret' lend no backbone solace to herself. How will she manage?

Mehrjui also wrote the screenplay and his direction of the film is just as poignant. Its eloquence is at once unflinching and beautiful, devastating and thoughtful. In a culture so traditional, full of 'compulsory' expectations of an heir, a grandson, Leila and Reza is really depicted as quite modern in their marriage and thinking. There is suspense, alright, as we wait and waver with Leila, as we want to side with Reza to let things be. Yet once Leila decided to go ahead, the mood and pace transformed to anticipation and wonderment. We want to respect their reactions. We hope things would work out in Leila (and Reza)'s favor. Will they? How will it all end? The devastation Leila experienced touches us deeply. We worry for her. What shall Reza do? So many questions. So many unknowns. Hang in there. Writer-director-producer Mehrjui does not disappoint. "Leila" is a wonderful 'filmic' journey in spite of having to read subtitles. The acting, cinematography, score, everything about it is quality production. (129 minutes in Farsi with English subtitles.)