It Was Just an Accident – Review

This film definitely will only be a recommendation for the right audience, which ultimately are those that can stand dark dramas with historical and political undertones of world cultures. While it is interesting and expertly crafted, the major themes entail prison, torture, revenge and life trauma. It has some situations which are darkly humorous, but ultimately this isn’t labeled comedy for me. So, onto the plot lines…

Late one night, a man (Azizi) is driving with his wife and kids. Unfortunately, a dog runs out into the unlit street and is bonked by the car. While this was just an accident, it costs an animal its life, and the vehicle is damaged. The following day, this man takes his vehicle in to get repaired at a nearby mechanic shop.

At this shop works Vahid (Mobasseri), who is an Azerbaijani with a past of being imprisoned in an Iranian facility. He notes that the man with the busted car also has a prosthetic leg, and the sound it makes reminds him of his worst tormentor in that prison, Eghbal. Vahid feels this is the man instantly, knowing it in his soul, and accordingly his whole life is turned upside-down. Vahid now has new motivations.

Immediately Vahid begins following “Eghbal,” looking for information, and opportunity. Seeing one, Vahid blasts “Eghbal” with his vehicle door, and knocks him out, then scoops his body into his delivery van. He goes to bury “Eghbal” in the desert. But… “Eghbal” denies it is him. He says no, he can’t be the torturer, since he only recently lost his leg in an accident, and has recent scars. Hell, he was on his way to see the doctor just now when he was taken by Vahid.

So… what is true? Are there others from the prison that may be able to confirm this man’s identity? Should Vahid track them down, and if he does, what should he do with this “Eghbal” man in the mean time? This starts a raucous journey towards any truth that can be found, involving multiple parties and some intense situations.

It Was Just an Accident is very well done. It shines a light on some world politics and clashing culture, as well as mistreatment of people and the fallout because of it. It is a very human tale, despite the revenge aspects. The plot twists in a few ways as the story unfolds, and the actors bring a lot to their characters, despite the amount of screen time they have. Ultimately this asks many moral questions, and gives the viewer a lot to ponder.