Movie Digest
Jeong Hoon is a widowed person reminiscing his late wife’s memories, who suicided without any will. Through his journey, he comes across Geon Hee. She is a divorced mother grappling with her daughter after leaving her husband. Jeong Hoon and Geon Hee’s short encounter develops into intense emotions. Both feel cheerful for the first time. Geon Hee finds her smile after so long, and Jeong Hoon can finally understand the meaning of happiness that his late wife wanted. It is the feeling he embraced from Geon Hee’s presence on the bus while returning home.
The Feel-Good Part
Strangers meet along the sea, sharing stories that eventually gets kneaded in their life. This momentary rupture of emotions goes beyond the feeling of gratefulness. Thus beautifully curving out the light-hearted ness in the film.
The Disappointing Factor
Even though the film structured a well-built storyline, some parts seem empty and devoid of depth.
In-Depth Analysis
Memories in amalgamation with happiness become the key concept in this movie. The meaning of happiness keeps changing in the constant distortion of life. The film paves out those incongruencies through two stories, experiences, and their momentary togetherness. Jeong Hoon’s journey to find the happiness that his wife dreamt of is as if recalling her through these newfound emotions. But Geon Hee’s present issues regarding the effect of her divorce on her daughter mould out new memories only to be looked back at and laughed at in later life. The interpretation of happiness for each of them is different. For Geon Hee’s daughter, it might be her raw anger for her mother, who she thinks, only knows how to leave. But with time, it might become another part of life. It is just time that brought them together. These seekers eventually become the founders of happiness as their stories merge and give meaning.
As one of Joong Boo’s independent films, it shows many potentials. The direction is well done. Emotions are beautifully presented through the characters. Blended with the marvellous views of Yeosu, it builds the atmosphere of the film. Symbols like the sea can be interpreted as the voids of the characters, which get filled up invisibly through tiny gestures such as Geon Hee’s smile and Jeong Hoon’s bus ride.
Star Power
Lee Chang as Jeong Hoon gave an excellent performance. He well portrayed the nature of his character. Seok Bo Bae was brilliant in Geon Hee’s robe. Bae vividly carries the picture of Geon Hee’s current position in the domain of a messy time. Alongside her, Park Deu-ni-saem’s portrayal as Geon Hee’s daughter was incredible. Joong Boo’s direction brought out different shades of the thematic viewpoint and gave the simple story an almost finesse ending.
Overall Opinion
The movie is light and talks about an essential aspect of life. While doing so, it builds an organized and uncomplicated plot. If you are looking for something to relax and have a sip of coffee on a rainy day, this can be a great addition to your list.
