Derek Childs (totalovrdose)
The film opens with a severely beaten Anna (the always beautiful Wang Tei) desperately struggling to come to terms with what led to the death of an, as of yet, unidentified male. Much of the film operates in this fashion, providing the viewer with enough of a taste to comprehend what may have happened, however, rarely definitively illustrating an exact answer, allowing the audience's imagination to fill in the blanks. On one hand, this has the unique feel of independent cinema, and allows viewers much freedom, though at the same time, can become frustrating, considering we, the viewers, long for completeness to quench our thirst for knowledge.Seven years later, in the midst of a prison sentence, Anna is given a three day furlough to visit her mother's funeral. On the way to Seattle, she bumps into Hoon (Hyun-Bin), who asks her to lend him money for bus fare, and though he promises to pay her back, Anna shows little interest. Ms. Tei convincingly plays a woman who has become disillusioned and pessimistic from her time in prison, while exhibiting melancholy in a city which has changed since she was last there.By chance, she meets Hoon once more, who offers to take her around Seattle. Hoon is, for lack of a better term, a gigolo, however, his explanation sounds far more advertising, though at the same time, he seems painfully romantic, garnering feelings for some of the women he meets, despite being required to maintain his professionalism.On the run from the jealous husband of a woman who fell in love with him two years earlier, Hoon is a man whose life has taken a turn for the worse, much like Anna's, yet continues to maintain optimism and confidence, that attracts her to him. Surrounded by judgemental relatives, Hoon is the one man who accepts Anna for who she is.The chemistry between the leads is especially great, there being a number of equally dramatic and humorous moments to behold. Moreover, a number of scenes are very memorable, including a moment when Hoon and Anna break into an amusement park, alongside another time when Anna discusses some of her past.The multiple locations are brilliantly brought to life by the cinematography, which further draws us into the experience, while the use of sound and music is just as effective.By the conclusion of the film, I was left feeling a little empty, for unlike other features, that serenade us with fantastical plots of everlasting love, director Kim Tae-Yong never tries to force anything. Instead, he creates a feature that feels very genuine, right down to the painful reality that not everything is destined to end happily ever after, despite our wishful thinking.(Half of the film is in English, while the other half is sub-titled).
asthab
If you are looking for one of those happy and feel-good movies, then this one is not for you. However, if you are up for a different experience, knowing it might not end well(who knows!), then you are in for a beautiful ride. Its a simple story. No complications there. Its just the chemistry between the lead guy and the girl is precious. It just goes on to prove that all you need are few dedicated minutes with a person to know if you like them. And sometimes, it helps not to look too far down in the future. Live today - for all you have. The movie is a treat if you want to watch a relaxing movie on a lazy Saturday night. I loved it!
freetogo
Two strangers met in a bus trip. Anna has been in jail for 7 years and is on a 3day bail to attend her mom's funeral. Hyunbin is at large and hiding from Police. Anna is a Chinese while Hyunbin is a Korean. In the movie, their only language to communicate is English. Hyunbin see in Anna's eyes knowing that she has numerous unresolved feeling to say but don't want anyone to hear. He encourages her to dub words for passersby and to talk with him in Chinese.In this movie, you can't see any dramatic story. Neither is there sexy love scenes nor violent. All these details are skipped. Instead, it is about how to live para hoy while failing to forget the past.
rainonmebi
This movie was pretty bad. I hadn't planned on writing a review for this ever because there was just too much to say but I guess I'll write it anyway. I usually love Korean movies and watch them all the time so I know the format.. they can be overly long and overly sentimental. I digress.The movie started out interesting. However quickly got WTF when Anna was let out of jail on so-called "compassionate leave" WITHOUT an escort OR ankle bracelet not to mention she was in jail for a VIOLENT CRIME. All they gave her was a cell phone to keep track of her (which they only called her twice). so that bothered me.why did they get such bad actors for Americans? all of them sounded like English wasn't their first language... that scene at the bumper cars.omg such bad acting... the scene went on WAYY too long and then that random dance that they did?! it was beautiful, and how it was edited but it had NO place in that movie and made NO sense what so ever! so they ran and were in some meat shop where it was bothering me that they had left the meat sitting out like that and the doors open?!and then, when anna was telling her story to hyunbin, he kept saying hao and hwey and was TOTALLY making everything she said "unserious" and i didn't feel bad for character. everyone in this movie fell flat... that kiss in the end WAS TOO LONG OMG. WTF was that! It was LITERALLY, over a minute long kiss scene. i kept looking at my watch waiting for that movie to be over.i could say more but who will read it? anyway. they tried to shove a comedy a drama and an indie art film into one movie and it DID NOT work.
