andjel

I hope you won’t watch this movie for Christmas. The title, Christmas Carol, may mislead those searching for a film to lift up the holiday spirit. Instead, we are given a gut-wrenching story about a crime that was never properly addressed—one that becomes more and more depressing as the events unfold.

I feel this movie is made for people of faith like me, to provoke our religious ideas about God’s providence, His blessings, forgiveness, and redemption. The film asks: If God is real, how can you believe and trust in Him when He allows such terrible things to happen? But I would say that the pain and anguish we feel in the face of evil are themselves proof that there must be some higher justice. In the end, I really liked this movie, even though I don’t think I will want to watch it again.

The main actor, Park Jin-young, plays both himself and his brother, and he was truly pushed to the limit to authentically express and convey the emotional reality of his characters. The other actors were good as well, but he displayed a rawness of emotion rarely seen on screen. So even if only for his performance, this movie is worth seeing.

Now, let us sing a Christmas carol. Which one is your favourite?