This film takes a relatively long 105 minutes in comparison with what actually happens. Nevertheless, the way this pending divorce is portrayed, is very compelling and makes this to an unique achievement.
Main characters are a relatively well-to-do Korean couple, as demonstrated by the size of their house and their furniture. The woman has announced a few weeks earlier that their relationship is due to be terminated. The whole film is about showing their final days together in their common house, full time being busy with sorting and splitting their belongings. In the background we hear the noise of heavy rainfall. It goes on all day, being the only contents of the sound track. The rain fully takes the place of the usual background music.
This house is the only location we see. Developments are shown in slow steps and long takes, with the express purpose of highlighting the inner feelings of the couple. This is where this film is unique, in my opinion, as the recipe works out very well. How strange it may seem, I found no reason to get bored. The story is kept alive with various things they find in their possession, where memories come up while trying to decide what to do with it.
The woman has big problems with her husband's attitude, in the sense that she had rather see him mad and obnoxious. But he only shows an overly passive acceptance of their divorce. She even strikes him, in an attempt to get him mad, but that scene is interrupted by the appearance of a cat that seems lost. Later on we see that the cat is sought by their neighbors, who are invited in the house. At that moment, the husband shows further passiveness when the neighbors take some liberties by switching on the TV and wandering around in the house while looking for the cat.
Nearly all the time everything seems heading to the conclusion that the divorce is final. But the final scene casts doubts when the man is cutting onions. He has to fight against a fair amount of tears, and cannot stop crying. Maybe an alternative way to express his hidden feelings?? We will never know whether it leads to continuing the marriage, or still getting on with the divorce process, as this is where the film ends.
Main characters are a relatively well-to-do Korean couple, as demonstrated by the size of their house and their furniture. The woman has announced a few weeks earlier that their relationship is due to be terminated. The whole film is about showing their final days together in their common house, full time being busy with sorting and splitting their belongings. In the background we hear the noise of heavy rainfall. It goes on all day, being the only contents of the sound track. The rain fully takes the place of the usual background music.
This house is the only location we see. Developments are shown in slow steps and long takes, with the express purpose of highlighting the inner feelings of the couple. This is where this film is unique, in my opinion, as the recipe works out very well. How strange it may seem, I found no reason to get bored. The story is kept alive with various things they find in their possession, where memories come up while trying to decide what to do with it.
The woman has big problems with her husband's attitude, in the sense that she had rather see him mad and obnoxious. But he only shows an overly passive acceptance of their divorce. She even strikes him, in an attempt to get him mad, but that scene is interrupted by the appearance of a cat that seems lost. Later on we see that the cat is sought by their neighbors, who are invited in the house. At that moment, the husband shows further passiveness when the neighbors take some liberties by switching on the TV and wandering around in the house while looking for the cat.
Nearly all the time everything seems heading to the conclusion that the divorce is final. But the final scene casts doubts when the man is cutting onions. He has to fight against a fair amount of tears, and cannot stop crying. Maybe an alternative way to express his hidden feelings?? We will never know whether it leads to continuing the marriage, or still getting on with the divorce process, as this is where the film ends.