This film got a split critical reception when recently shown in Boston this past week. The Phoenix reviewer (unfortunately this assignment was not given to either Chris Fujiwara or Gerald Peary, the cream of the paper's critical crop) trashed it as sentimental bunkum -- suggesting that viewers wanting to see a worthwhile film about children visiting country relatives for the summer watch HHH's "Summer at Grandpa's" instead. The Globe reviewer, on the other hand, liked it -- a lot. I would have to agree with the Globe here (a rare occurrence).
The set-up here would not seem to be that unusual: a somewhat bratty city kid (around 7 or 8 years old here) gets left with rural relatives, and (after considerable resistance) learns (from some kind old person) that there is more to life than brand-name products, video games and unbridled egotism. Curiously, though, I can't think of any major Western movies that use this premise -- and only one Asian one (John William' wonderful "Firefly Dreams" -- which centers on a teen-age girl).
The acting here by the two protagonists, Sang-woo (the child, played by YU Seung-ho) and his Grandmother (played by KIM Eul-Bun) is superb -- as is that of the supporting cast. (Apparently neither star was a "professional" actor). The script is funny and sweet (but not cloying). The cinematography of rural Korea is gorgeous. The direction (by one of Korea's few woman directors) is sure-handed. The score (sort of French neo-classical, for the most part) is lovely. Plot-wise the grandmother here would make more sense as a great-grandmother (the age disparity between the boy, his mother and the "grandmother is about 20 years too great). One thing that makes the Korean films I've seen so far so attractive to me (but obviously resistible to some critics) is the whole-hearted, warm-blooded lack of cynicism, Some Korean directors must not have learned yet that when touching sentimental or romantic topics, one is required to display a certain degree of snide superiority. I hope they never do learn.
The set-up here would not seem to be that unusual: a somewhat bratty city kid (around 7 or 8 years old here) gets left with rural relatives, and (after considerable resistance) learns (from some kind old person) that there is more to life than brand-name products, video games and unbridled egotism. Curiously, though, I can't think of any major Western movies that use this premise -- and only one Asian one (John William' wonderful "Firefly Dreams" -- which centers on a teen-age girl).
The acting here by the two protagonists, Sang-woo (the child, played by YU Seung-ho) and his Grandmother (played by KIM Eul-Bun) is superb -- as is that of the supporting cast. (Apparently neither star was a "professional" actor). The script is funny and sweet (but not cloying). The cinematography of rural Korea is gorgeous. The direction (by one of Korea's few woman directors) is sure-handed. The score (sort of French neo-classical, for the most part) is lovely. Plot-wise the grandmother here would make more sense as a great-grandmother (the age disparity between the boy, his mother and the "grandmother is about 20 years too great). One thing that makes the Korean films I've seen so far so attractive to me (but obviously resistible to some critics) is the whole-hearted, warm-blooded lack of cynicism, Some Korean directors must not have learned yet that when touching sentimental or romantic topics, one is required to display a certain degree of snide superiority. I hope they never do learn.