Usually I don't really watch a humanistic film because I know that I wouldn't survive the hour long scene without any jaw dropping action segments. However, when it comes to humanistic drama production, my mind will remember the awesome drama, My Mister. I would not deny that IU's involvement in this movie was one of the many reasons that stirred my heart to grab a ticket after her stellar performance in My Mister. The other reason is that the casting itself is superb. I like the performance of Song Kang Ho, Gang Dong Won and Bae Doona. All of them were fantastic professionals in their other works plus Lee Jooyoung who had made remarkable impression in Itaewon Class. It is so hard for me to give it a miss.
Rather than giving a long review. I will do it in point form instead. Here it goes.
10 Things that I like
1. Movie is perfectly paced even though to some may feel it is slow. Boring? Quite a few thought provoking scenes that I don't have the time to get bored.
2. Everyone has his/her own agenda and the revelation slowly surface out as the movie continues.
3. Do not judge the book by its cover. This applies to human.
4. Deep meaning in some of the scripts which made me thinking even after the movie.
5. The transitioning from stranger to family shown perfectly in the acting which doesn't feel there is a missing scene or gap in between.
6. Some scenes are really time critical which the acting crews nailed with their acting abilities.
7. Simple humanistic story plot but with deep meaning of their actions.
8. The baby is a professional actor too.
9. The small kid adds meaningful interest to the plot especially he is definitely the most fitting to say "Thank you for being born" to So-young
10. Unlike other reviews, personally I didn't cry so badly but some scenes really struck to the heart which made me wanting to let go my tears.
Is hard to find the portion which I do not like. Knowing that this movie is a dark and slow movie, i didn't have a lot of expectations as I rarely watch such a film. I do feel this type of movie suits people who are more flexible in their taste or have a liking towards more realistic humanistic genre. I believe I am more of the flexible type. If i were to really list out 1 thing which probably can be improved...Spoiler here if you continue to read?....
I would think that the ending portion could have given more hints to the audience before the brokers were apprehended and the agreement between So-young and the detectives. My presumption is that it is done on purpose to let the audience fill in the blanks. Probably, I will get clearer understanding after 2nd or 3rd viewing.
Overall, I really like the story plot, the performance by every actors and actresses are fantastic especially Song Kang Ho, Gang Dong Won and Lee Jieun (IU). Being the center piece, IU has done a very great job in her inaugural commercial film. Last but not least, bravo to Hirokazu Kore-eda for producing such meaningful story; this is a masterpiece to me. Great job!
