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This review may contain spoilers
It Really is Complicated!
Geez, was I big relieved that this movie ended at the point at which it ended. I was sitting on the edge of my seat praying that a line wouldn't be crossed. What a relief!
Let's get the admin out of the way. The directing was impeccable, the script flowed logically, the cinematography very catchy and satisfying in the sense that you got a good grounding on both international locations and the living conditions. The casting was just as great because the actors met the characters where they were and they delivered brilliantly. I know the male lead from other productions and I didn't feel at any moment that they slipped out of character. That was satisfying to see as it meant full immersion into the story could be achieved.
The characters themselves were complicated; these were not easy people to watch. The young years revealed to me what I felt were character flaws in the sense that one was willing to give beyond what was required and the other took without reservation. This they carried into adulthood and such imbalances frequently lead to resentment. The immigration was difficult for her. We see the struggle to integrate, there are language challenges and although this is not her decision and what is happening is out of her control, she clings to what she knows - hard work and a possible dream. In that process she abandons who she imagined herself to be and is hyper driven by ambition. He makes an attempt to move on, but is held back by the promise made by memories.
Twelve years later, married to a Jewish man and living in the East Village, his visit is a resurrection of the little girl who left South Korea and I don't think the memories are welcome, but in the same breathe they cannot be disputed. So, this creates this state of limbo where the husband is a reflection of what is present and real and the male lead represents loss and an identity she would rather not deal with. There's almost this push and pull between how far back South Korea is and yet how unreachable New York is.
I was struck by the maturity of the husband and brought to feel that this is a reflection of how relationships should be. Not afraid to show vulnerability, not afraid to ask questions and not afraid to sit quietly and wait for the whirlwind to pass. There's also the recognition that our beginnings are not the same; we carry the differences even today, but there's a point where we can meet each other and create something warm and new and wholesome together. However, there's this threat hanging over everyone's head called destiny. The husband feels in the middle because in many ways, he's a romantic. They themselves are grappling with how much control to give to destiny. Should we allow destiny to dictate the direction of our present lives or recognise that perhaps our story is for another lifetime past or in the future.
I strongly recommend the movie if you are into all things Korean, but also all things English.😁😁
A mature, romantic drama that showcases just how complicated human beings truly are. Thank you to the Bestie for the recommendation🥰. This was completely off my radar.
Let's get the admin out of the way. The directing was impeccable, the script flowed logically, the cinematography very catchy and satisfying in the sense that you got a good grounding on both international locations and the living conditions. The casting was just as great because the actors met the characters where they were and they delivered brilliantly. I know the male lead from other productions and I didn't feel at any moment that they slipped out of character. That was satisfying to see as it meant full immersion into the story could be achieved.
The characters themselves were complicated; these were not easy people to watch. The young years revealed to me what I felt were character flaws in the sense that one was willing to give beyond what was required and the other took without reservation. This they carried into adulthood and such imbalances frequently lead to resentment. The immigration was difficult for her. We see the struggle to integrate, there are language challenges and although this is not her decision and what is happening is out of her control, she clings to what she knows - hard work and a possible dream. In that process she abandons who she imagined herself to be and is hyper driven by ambition. He makes an attempt to move on, but is held back by the promise made by memories.
Twelve years later, married to a Jewish man and living in the East Village, his visit is a resurrection of the little girl who left South Korea and I don't think the memories are welcome, but in the same breathe they cannot be disputed. So, this creates this state of limbo where the husband is a reflection of what is present and real and the male lead represents loss and an identity she would rather not deal with. There's almost this push and pull between how far back South Korea is and yet how unreachable New York is.
I was struck by the maturity of the husband and brought to feel that this is a reflection of how relationships should be. Not afraid to show vulnerability, not afraid to ask questions and not afraid to sit quietly and wait for the whirlwind to pass. There's also the recognition that our beginnings are not the same; we carry the differences even today, but there's a point where we can meet each other and create something warm and new and wholesome together. However, there's this threat hanging over everyone's head called destiny. The husband feels in the middle because in many ways, he's a romantic. They themselves are grappling with how much control to give to destiny. Should we allow destiny to dictate the direction of our present lives or recognise that perhaps our story is for another lifetime past or in the future.
I strongly recommend the movie if you are into all things Korean, but also all things English.😁😁
A mature, romantic drama that showcases just how complicated human beings truly are. Thank you to the Bestie for the recommendation🥰. This was completely off my radar.
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