Oh my god… this one’s a real tear-jerker. Anga was the one, who recommended this movie to me, more than a year ago, and I finally had the chance to watch it, and I’m SO glad that I gave this one a chance. This movie is THE proof that the Koreans can do more than just produce pretty graphics á la Wonderful Days.
Basically, any slice-of-life fan will enjoy this. It tells the story of two orphans: a blind girl and her younger brother. There are other characters as well, like a couple of monks, who end up taking care of the pair of them, but they’re nowhere as interesting as the two main characters. The boy was only one year old when their mother died in a fire, and they’ve been taking care of each other ever since.
And boy, does it end up awesome. The creators were really successful in creating a sad story which left me crying for many times in a row. The two main characters are fleshed out into really likable characters, and you’ll really end up feeling sorry for the things both of them had to endure, and the beauty of all is that it manages to stay realistic while doing so.
I’ve got only two complaints for this movie. The two children may be fleshed out, and they’ve got background, but I would have liked to see a bit more of it, like how the girl was able to take care of her brother after becoming blind, and how the two of them managed to survive until they reached the Buddhist Monastery. The second point of critique is the ending: it’s an anticlimax. The mood is built up perfectly, and the boy reaches a really pitiful state, and then the suddenly introduces supernatural elements from out of nowhere. It’s here where the religious undertones of the movie went completely out of control.
Still, don’t let that flaw ruin this excellent production. It’s obviously not for those who need action, but this is a great example of a successful slice-of-life movie. Be warned, though: the boy might be a bit annoying with his antics in the beginning, but he quickly becomes too adorable for this to really matter. If you’re looking for something to make you cry, this is a pretty good suggestion.
P.S. For those who are interested: Guriguri has translated an interview with the movie’s director into English. Quite insightful.]]>
Oseam Review – 88/100
May I ask where you found this movie? I had seen it a long time ago and was interested but didn’t get to finish it.
Yeah… I don’t remember other good anime made by Koreans, but this one is fine exception.
i saw this movie too. but it was long ago. actually i’m from korea (:
when i read your review i remembered the whole story and had to cry just by reading your entry.
waaaah
Chris: I got my version from Boxtorrents. Be warned, though: the seeds are rather slow.
yellow: I’m glad you like it. 🙂
Thanks psgels, I was able to find it seconds after I posted my comment ^_^ my version came off Veoh.com (downloaded it, quality isn’t bad) and it was very fast, less than an hour.
If you’re going with recommendations might I recommend Koi Kaze or My Beautiful Girl Mari?
Thanks for making me interested in seeing the rest of the movie, it’s really good.
The ending is too sad! Why did they wait until spring??
Very nice movie. I did not find the end anticlimacic at all, as it stayed realistic through and through. For me the goddess appearance is nothing more than a metaphor: people believe in ideas, and anime can render reality and beliefs. Still, reality was respected, simply the people’s interpretation of it was also rendered.
Excellent pick!
Have you ever seen a movie called Rail of the Stars -Story of the Children- ? I think that one has a similar plot to this one.