A woman slumps in a Paris airport, a thread of smoke rising from
her cigarette. As she awaits a flight to Tehran, she remembers.
And as she does, the colors drain.  What is left as she flashes
back to her childhood and her adolescence spent abroad, are
drenched blacks, rich grays, ivory glimpses.  *** RATING |
Animated Graphic Novel  "Persepolis," the superb animated
adaptation of Iranian-born artist and writer Marjane Satrapi's
graphic novel, is hardly a tale told in black and white. In
French with English subtitles, Satrapi and Vincent Paronnaud's
film was nominated Tuesday for the best animated feature Oscar.
It opens today at the Esquire.  Few movies capture so well the
fluid, fulsome response of children to their (and our) complex
worlds. For Marji, coming of age in a restive time is marked by
a mix of sophisticated observation and unguarded reaction, of
well-founded apprehension and bountiful joy.  Wonder years are
spent listening to adults whisper and cry about politics;
nursing a crush on Bruce Lee (t