I guess I'll start.
A Separation > About Elly > Fireworks Wednesday >> The Past
Will probably watch the other two at some stage as well. I hope he goes back to filming in Iran as The Past definitely felt as if it lost something.
A Separation is just amazing for how the story unravels like a onion, layer by layer, and slowly draws you in. I am so glad I went into it completely blind on the first viewing. I think it will become one of those movies I watch at least once a year.
My favourite part of About Elly was how he made you feel that you were a part of their circle of friends, sharing their in-jokes and playful jabs at one another, but then when tragedy strikes all their hang-ups about one another are revealed. There is so much tension from that point onwards and I was just on the edge of my seat waiting to piece together the mystery surrounding Elly.
I enjoyed Fireworks Wednesday mostly because of Roohi's playful naivety contrasted with the cynicism and paranoia of the married couple with problems. It made her decisions all the more interesting, especially when it came to when to lie and for what reasons.
The Past was good, but felt a lot more forced/contrived. Maybe I had just watched too many of his films in a short amount of time.
For me, what Farhadi does best, is create very realistic and relatable characters. He deals with the concept of gray morality and flawed characters with redeeming qualities trope so well it turns the average-sounding drama into such a gripping tale.
I also really enjoy how he incorporates elements of the background/environment - whether it be the partitions in A separation mirroring the divides in gender/social/religious standings or the incessant sound of the fireworks/waves crashing reminding us of the inner turmoil present.