Decent performances, gorgeous cinematography. Nice interludes showcasing New York & Seoul. What galls me is that although this is an excellent South Korea film, it is getting far more acclaim than other often superior South Korean films, I would hypothesize because the director was able to distribute through the highly regarded A24 studios and features a few B-List American actors and actress. Yes, I understand this is technically an American film, but it has a large portion of the dialogue in Korean, is filmed in part in Korea, and shares the same character focused, not much action, contemplative cinema philosophies as found much more commonly in Asian films rather than its western counterparts. This demonstrates, to me, the unfortunate lack of exposure for said similar and sometimes superior foreign films that have no American actors and aren't able to afford distribution by a studio like A24.
What makes those other films superior? In other words, what was lacking here? Contrary to some opinions, the only character I could care about was Arthur. His performance was commendable, the subtle facial features and body language that showed his insecurities with Nora, despite an overall confidence in their marriage and knowing his wife. Na Young, Hae Sung, adult Nora Moon and Hae Sung, although fine enough performances, did not convey believable chemistry and I found it difficult sometimes to muster much empathy for their love tragedy. All the emotions induced so poetically by the film were centered on the idea of in-yun and a lost love that is not meant to be, not their specific story.
My greatest aspiration for this film is for it to draw attention to similar East Asian films and maybe even more ambitiously, foreign films as a whole where, yes, viewers might have to pay attention to subtitles and deal with not having Michael Bay superficial ADHD distractors, but will be rewarded will get more meaningful stories!
What makes those other films superior? In other words, what was lacking here? Contrary to some opinions, the only character I could care about was Arthur. His performance was commendable, the subtle facial features and body language that showed his insecurities with Nora, despite an overall confidence in their marriage and knowing his wife. Na Young, Hae Sung, adult Nora Moon and Hae Sung, although fine enough performances, did not convey believable chemistry and I found it difficult sometimes to muster much empathy for their love tragedy. All the emotions induced so poetically by the film were centered on the idea of in-yun and a lost love that is not meant to be, not their specific story.
My greatest aspiration for this film is for it to draw attention to similar East Asian films and maybe even more ambitiously, foreign films as a whole where, yes, viewers might have to pay attention to subtitles and deal with not having Michael Bay superficial ADHD distractors, but will be rewarded will get more meaningful stories!