35 reviews
I was very happy and at the same time quite surprised by other positive comments written by non-Koreans below. This movie is amazingly heartshaking, and shows very 'sad but warm' view toward life which is typical to Korean people. I thought other foreigners would not understand this delicate feeling and under-rate this quiet film as a boring one, but I was wrong. The attraction of this film might be hard to avoid to foreigners, too. (Even without subtitle...)
I would like to mention some points others have missed. Of course, this film depicts love between a man and a woman. However, the very theme is way beyond that. Actually, it is about time, value of remembrance, and death. In this film, the focus is not on the 'love affair' between two people. As some pointed out, they do not kiss, they do not hug each other, even without holding hands. So love itself is not completed (whether positively or negatively) in the film. Rather, what haunts Jungwon (a leading actor) is his impending death. He's running out of time, he can't hold it, leaving a few behind including his father and of course, Darim (a metermaid). So the problem is how he can face the death and leave something valuable in his short life, not how he can make love with Darim.
This kind of theme sounds very familiar to us. There are lots of movies regarding patients with uncurable disease such as 'Love Story'. However, what makes this film outstanding is the way Jungwon deals his death. He is a loser, but tried to do his best while he's alive, IN A SILENT WAY. He does not tell anybody around him about his death. He hides something in his mind but without rage, hate, vengeance. He just tried to do best while he was alive. This limited communication and obedience to fate is the typical mindset of Koreans and the point most Western people don't understand or at best, misunderstand.
This theme is very effectively expressed by the director of this film (surprisingly, his debut). Some say he's much influenced by Japanese director Ozu Yasujiro, who directed Tokyo Story. Indeed, I remember I read in some magazine that the director himself admitted he was influenced by Ozu. I'm not that knowledged to analyze his style comparing to Ozu's, but they have some in common and some not. Low angle and static camera, especially remind us Ozu's style. But, in terms of theme again, this Korean director seems to have somewhat warmer and hopeful vision.
It is expressed concisely with Jungwon's last photograph. Very well done and really heartbreaking scene, I think. Actually, the director first had the idea of this film when he participated the funeral of a very famous Korean folk singer who died young of mysterious suicide. They say he saw the photograph of the singer at the funeral and thought of a film on death and remembrance. (And possibly hope for the remnants, I think...)
I highly recommend this film to anybody who has deep interest in film art as well as Korean culture. This film, in my opinion, can be rivaled with other movies like Tokyo story, and a sort of American Beauty. It is that great if without language barrier. DVD version is going to be out in the market this February, so it might be a little help for foreigners with English subtitle.
I would like to mention some points others have missed. Of course, this film depicts love between a man and a woman. However, the very theme is way beyond that. Actually, it is about time, value of remembrance, and death. In this film, the focus is not on the 'love affair' between two people. As some pointed out, they do not kiss, they do not hug each other, even without holding hands. So love itself is not completed (whether positively or negatively) in the film. Rather, what haunts Jungwon (a leading actor) is his impending death. He's running out of time, he can't hold it, leaving a few behind including his father and of course, Darim (a metermaid). So the problem is how he can face the death and leave something valuable in his short life, not how he can make love with Darim.
This kind of theme sounds very familiar to us. There are lots of movies regarding patients with uncurable disease such as 'Love Story'. However, what makes this film outstanding is the way Jungwon deals his death. He is a loser, but tried to do his best while he's alive, IN A SILENT WAY. He does not tell anybody around him about his death. He hides something in his mind but without rage, hate, vengeance. He just tried to do best while he was alive. This limited communication and obedience to fate is the typical mindset of Koreans and the point most Western people don't understand or at best, misunderstand.
This theme is very effectively expressed by the director of this film (surprisingly, his debut). Some say he's much influenced by Japanese director Ozu Yasujiro, who directed Tokyo Story. Indeed, I remember I read in some magazine that the director himself admitted he was influenced by Ozu. I'm not that knowledged to analyze his style comparing to Ozu's, but they have some in common and some not. Low angle and static camera, especially remind us Ozu's style. But, in terms of theme again, this Korean director seems to have somewhat warmer and hopeful vision.
It is expressed concisely with Jungwon's last photograph. Very well done and really heartbreaking scene, I think. Actually, the director first had the idea of this film when he participated the funeral of a very famous Korean folk singer who died young of mysterious suicide. They say he saw the photograph of the singer at the funeral and thought of a film on death and remembrance. (And possibly hope for the remnants, I think...)
I highly recommend this film to anybody who has deep interest in film art as well as Korean culture. This film, in my opinion, can be rivaled with other movies like Tokyo story, and a sort of American Beauty. It is that great if without language barrier. DVD version is going to be out in the market this February, so it might be a little help for foreigners with English subtitle.
Hooray for Korean cinema! Last year I saw "Chungyang" and "Nowhere to hide", now I catch up with Hur Jin-ho's directorial debut "Christmas in august". The variety of themes and level of achievement speak highly of a national cinema ripe for discovery. This film's major themes are death and love. The graceful and thoughtful way Jung Won(Han Suk-kyu) copes with his impending death, and the sublimation of his desires toward Darim(Shim Eun-Ha) out of true love for her. I was deeply moved by his careful management of behavior and emotions, shielding Darim from unnecessary pain without rejecting her.
The success of this type of film is predicated on the skill of the actors. Han and Shim excel, being both quite expressive yet naturalistic. A number of secondary characters, Jung Won's relatives, friends, and clients, are quickly delineated to enrich the story without detracting from its main focus. To LIVE is to love, but all things must pass. Pain subsides. Life goes on.
The success of this type of film is predicated on the skill of the actors. Han and Shim excel, being both quite expressive yet naturalistic. A number of secondary characters, Jung Won's relatives, friends, and clients, are quickly delineated to enrich the story without detracting from its main focus. To LIVE is to love, but all things must pass. Pain subsides. Life goes on.
- dbborroughs
- Jul 10, 2009
- Permalink
I am surprised I sit through the whole movie despite knowing the plot.
No earth-shaking romance here and yet this film left me shaken after the credits rolled...
No great lines of declaration of affection from the main characters and yet I was overwhelmed by the quiet suppression to profess their mutual attraction...
No hugs and kisses and yet the undercurrents of passion were strong and intense...
No happily-ever-after ending and yet the soul of the bond lingered even after the departure of the male lead....
Veteran Korean actor Han Suk-kyu and newcomer Shim Eun-ha delivered such a believable performance as ordinary persons in a hardly adventurous setting that I am convinced that this belies the film's beauty and appeal.
Han handled his role masterfully as a terminally-ill photo-shop owner living his last days when Shim came (timely/untimely?) into his life. Hiding his condition from both family and close friends, his agony was pitiful and this was especially expressed in a narration during a night of drinking with his friend: "I finally joked about the truth".
However, his pain of suffering in silence was juxtaposed with his laughter in Shim's presence. She was his light at his most gloomy moments and her friendship was so precious in times of hopelessness and helplessness. Shim was attractive in her boldness when initiating advances on Han. However, this was withdrawn when Han did not respond in a distinct manner that she was seeking. Nonetheless, her persistence was exhibited in her continual wait outside Han's shop without knowledge of his hospitalisation. That was finally challenged when she threw a rock into his shop, breaking the display window (others say it's an uninhibited act of female tantrum but I'll call it "character").... Many moments were captured by imagery (an 'Asian' style?) instead of words, showing that verbal conversations are not the only means to express deep emotions.
There were several sweet moments involving secondary characters as well. For instance, Han and his sister spitting watermelon seeds in a childlike manner, Han writing down video-recording instructions for his hard-hearing father and the old lady who dressed up in her best to take her funeral portrait in advance.
The ending was well done in that it was not overtly sorrowful (as in typical Hollywood tearjerkers) and showed that love was stronger than cancer and love overcame death. Han's last words, although most probably not communicated to Shim, were simple yet heart-wrenching.
While Titanic sank, to me, Christmas in August will float above the plane of time, remaining an endearing, unfinished love story.
If I have to go down on my knees to coax u to watch this film, I would.
No earth-shaking romance here and yet this film left me shaken after the credits rolled...
No great lines of declaration of affection from the main characters and yet I was overwhelmed by the quiet suppression to profess their mutual attraction...
No hugs and kisses and yet the undercurrents of passion were strong and intense...
No happily-ever-after ending and yet the soul of the bond lingered even after the departure of the male lead....
Veteran Korean actor Han Suk-kyu and newcomer Shim Eun-ha delivered such a believable performance as ordinary persons in a hardly adventurous setting that I am convinced that this belies the film's beauty and appeal.
Han handled his role masterfully as a terminally-ill photo-shop owner living his last days when Shim came (timely/untimely?) into his life. Hiding his condition from both family and close friends, his agony was pitiful and this was especially expressed in a narration during a night of drinking with his friend: "I finally joked about the truth".
However, his pain of suffering in silence was juxtaposed with his laughter in Shim's presence. She was his light at his most gloomy moments and her friendship was so precious in times of hopelessness and helplessness. Shim was attractive in her boldness when initiating advances on Han. However, this was withdrawn when Han did not respond in a distinct manner that she was seeking. Nonetheless, her persistence was exhibited in her continual wait outside Han's shop without knowledge of his hospitalisation. That was finally challenged when she threw a rock into his shop, breaking the display window (others say it's an uninhibited act of female tantrum but I'll call it "character").... Many moments were captured by imagery (an 'Asian' style?) instead of words, showing that verbal conversations are not the only means to express deep emotions.
There were several sweet moments involving secondary characters as well. For instance, Han and his sister spitting watermelon seeds in a childlike manner, Han writing down video-recording instructions for his hard-hearing father and the old lady who dressed up in her best to take her funeral portrait in advance.
The ending was well done in that it was not overtly sorrowful (as in typical Hollywood tearjerkers) and showed that love was stronger than cancer and love overcame death. Han's last words, although most probably not communicated to Shim, were simple yet heart-wrenching.
While Titanic sank, to me, Christmas in August will float above the plane of time, remaining an endearing, unfinished love story.
If I have to go down on my knees to coax u to watch this film, I would.
- slurpee-sundae
- Nov 21, 2000
- Permalink
A photographer in the small city of Gunsan in South Korea learns that he has a terminal illness but downplays the seriousness of it to his family and friends. We never find out the nature of the disease but the main focus of Hur Jin-ho's poignant first film Christmas in August is not his illness. It is the grace in which he conducts his life - his ability to accept what life has in store without remorse. Sadly, it was the final film shot by cinematographer Yoo Young-kil before his death, and the film is dedicated to his memory.
The photographer, Jung-won, is played by Han Suk-kyu, at one time, Korea's most popular star. A handsome man in his early thirties with an infectious laugh, he is so warm and full of vitality that it is difficult to picture him as nearing the end of life. Jung-won owns a small photography shop and lives at home with his hard of hearing father (Goo Shin) and sister (Oh Ji-hye), teaching his dad how to play movies on the VCR, and writing instructions for him to take over his shop if he were to die. As Jung-won goes about the day-to-day business of getting his affairs in order, Dar-im (Shim Eun-ha), a meter reader, comes into his store with an urgent request for some photographic enlargements.
Abrupt and impatient, he treats her with disdain but later apologizes and she becomes a regular customer. Without overt expression of romantic feelings, their relationship develops a growing intimacy. Love is not something they say or do. It is their ground of being, the place where they come from. To protect Dar-im from suffering, Jung-won does not tell her that he has only a short time to live but this does not make the situation any easier for her. Inevitably his increasing absence from the shop causes her to feel betrayed and frustrated to the point where she throws a rock through the shop's window. Although Jung-won's decision to withhold his illness from Dar-im is open to question, it feels organic to his character in the film and is not used simply as a plot device or an excuse for the character to "live life to the fullest" by playing around.
One of the most touching sequences in the film is when an elderly woman returns to his studio to take a memorial photo of herself. Jung-won makes sure the picture is an exact likeness, knowing that soon he will be taking his own picture of remembrance. Christmas in August is an unpretentious film that never resorts to melodrama to make its point. It is about taking pleasure in ordinary moments: riding a bike, sharing a joke, eating ice cream, being thoughtful and considerate, and feeling good about what life has to offer. It is a love story where love means having to say you're sorry. Although there have been many films on the dying process, Christmas in August propels the genre in a new direction and, in the process, offers an unforgettable commentary on the human condition. Incongruously, this film about death is an experience of the utmost joy.
The photographer, Jung-won, is played by Han Suk-kyu, at one time, Korea's most popular star. A handsome man in his early thirties with an infectious laugh, he is so warm and full of vitality that it is difficult to picture him as nearing the end of life. Jung-won owns a small photography shop and lives at home with his hard of hearing father (Goo Shin) and sister (Oh Ji-hye), teaching his dad how to play movies on the VCR, and writing instructions for him to take over his shop if he were to die. As Jung-won goes about the day-to-day business of getting his affairs in order, Dar-im (Shim Eun-ha), a meter reader, comes into his store with an urgent request for some photographic enlargements.
Abrupt and impatient, he treats her with disdain but later apologizes and she becomes a regular customer. Without overt expression of romantic feelings, their relationship develops a growing intimacy. Love is not something they say or do. It is their ground of being, the place where they come from. To protect Dar-im from suffering, Jung-won does not tell her that he has only a short time to live but this does not make the situation any easier for her. Inevitably his increasing absence from the shop causes her to feel betrayed and frustrated to the point where she throws a rock through the shop's window. Although Jung-won's decision to withhold his illness from Dar-im is open to question, it feels organic to his character in the film and is not used simply as a plot device or an excuse for the character to "live life to the fullest" by playing around.
One of the most touching sequences in the film is when an elderly woman returns to his studio to take a memorial photo of herself. Jung-won makes sure the picture is an exact likeness, knowing that soon he will be taking his own picture of remembrance. Christmas in August is an unpretentious film that never resorts to melodrama to make its point. It is about taking pleasure in ordinary moments: riding a bike, sharing a joke, eating ice cream, being thoughtful and considerate, and feeling good about what life has to offer. It is a love story where love means having to say you're sorry. Although there have been many films on the dying process, Christmas in August propels the genre in a new direction and, in the process, offers an unforgettable commentary on the human condition. Incongruously, this film about death is an experience of the utmost joy.
- howard.schumann
- Jun 24, 2007
- Permalink
This is, without a doubt, one of the most accomplished debut films for any director. The Movie is only 90 minutes long, but manages to say just about everything about life and death. Not much action, and dialogue is minimal, but the movie flows perfectly and demands your attention due to the wonderfully natural feel of everything going on. The performances by the leads are perfection, and even some supporting characters get strong emotional scenes. The movie will be somewhat lost on today's modern audience, but this is one that everyone ought to see.Refreshingly unsentimental and honest, this is on par with Ozu's works.
Scratch my title, this one is perfect!
Scratch my title, this one is perfect!
Being a fan of Asian cinema I found "Christmas in August" by sheer luck as I was browsing through movies on Amazon. Having read through the synopsis of the movie, it really sounded like a movie that was well worth buying and watching.
And it was!
This Korean drama is a strong romance that really tells a very great story withing actually delving into the physical aspects of love. The unspoken attraction between Jung-won (played by Suk-kyo Han) and Da-rim (played by Eun-ha Shim) was really breathtaking and so romantic. There was not a single kiss, embrace or anything like it, but the scene where Da-rim took hold of Jung-won's arm as they walked on the street and he was telling the ghost story said it all; that scene was just so beautiful.
Jung-won is terminally ill with some sickness that we never learn what actually is, and he has come to terms with his condition and wants to continue his life as normal when Da-rim walks into his photo store one day and a friendship is forming; a friendship that blooms into a love that unfortunately goes unsettled.
"Christmas in August" was really beautifully acted and brought to the screen, because both Suk-kyo Han and Eun-ha Shim really played their characters so well, and the chemistry between them was just amazing. There isn't a lot of characters in the movie, so they were having to really carry the movie with excellent performances, which must be said, that they also really did.
This is a sad romantic story, but it is really beautiful still, despite it not ending out with everyone living happily ever after, which is a tendency to happen in romantic movies. "Christmas in August" is highly recommended that you spend an approximate 110 minutes on watching, because it is so worth it. And if you liked movies like "Failan", then you will definitely love "Christmas in August" as well.
And it was!
This Korean drama is a strong romance that really tells a very great story withing actually delving into the physical aspects of love. The unspoken attraction between Jung-won (played by Suk-kyo Han) and Da-rim (played by Eun-ha Shim) was really breathtaking and so romantic. There was not a single kiss, embrace or anything like it, but the scene where Da-rim took hold of Jung-won's arm as they walked on the street and he was telling the ghost story said it all; that scene was just so beautiful.
Jung-won is terminally ill with some sickness that we never learn what actually is, and he has come to terms with his condition and wants to continue his life as normal when Da-rim walks into his photo store one day and a friendship is forming; a friendship that blooms into a love that unfortunately goes unsettled.
"Christmas in August" was really beautifully acted and brought to the screen, because both Suk-kyo Han and Eun-ha Shim really played their characters so well, and the chemistry between them was just amazing. There isn't a lot of characters in the movie, so they were having to really carry the movie with excellent performances, which must be said, that they also really did.
This is a sad romantic story, but it is really beautiful still, despite it not ending out with everyone living happily ever after, which is a tendency to happen in romantic movies. "Christmas in August" is highly recommended that you spend an approximate 110 minutes on watching, because it is so worth it. And if you liked movies like "Failan", then you will definitely love "Christmas in August" as well.
- paul_haakonsen
- Aug 14, 2012
- Permalink
How often do we live our romantic life as on the big screen, with torrid affairs and passionate encounters? Almost never, if what I see as normal life around me is anything to judge by. Romances, as previously stated, are hardly ever earthshaking affairs that leave you at the top of the world or batter and bruised.
Romance, in its every day form, as lived out millions of times over around the world, is a slow, subtle, and quiet affair. Something that grows in you, ever so slowly, probably without you even noticing it slowly taking over your being. No one can tell me when I am in love. For if someone did, I would not believe him anyway, for no one but me would know. And even then, it is just a feeling, a certain knowledge that you are feeling this exalting emotion. That you want nothing but the best for someone, that you would never want to see them suffer a moment of sadness. That you are willing to take a great degree of pain for them. I would not go so far as to say be willing to die for your loved one, for we are all human, and we do not know what we are capable of in the face of death until that moment is upon us.
Is the love between the main characters of the film, ever so subtle and understated, no less noble than that between Romeo and Juliet? The unstated emotions, the unsaid feelings, convey far more than any repeated shouts of "I love you". The restraint shown by the lead actor, displayed ever so poignantly in the scene where he watches his love interest through the cafe window, yet never did he move to make himself known to her, was simply heart-wrenching to watch. Would most of us be selfless enough to remain hidden, knowing that her emotions and feelings could not possibly be reciprocated?
On another note, how will I deal with my own certain death? While I can claim I have been seriously ill, I can not in all honesty say that I have ever come close to death. Will I be so calm, putting all my affairs in order, and leaving instructions for others to take up what I leave behind? I suspect I will be calm, for I will have little choice in the matter. Can I be so selfless? Again, the answer will have to be in the negative. I can empathize with the anguish, knowing that your life is forfeit, that fate has dealt you a fatal blow, and that future events, however little there are of them left, are no longer under your control.
Life is nothing more than a series of small events, the culmination of which may seem great for some in retrospect. But only very rarely.
Romance, in its every day form, as lived out millions of times over around the world, is a slow, subtle, and quiet affair. Something that grows in you, ever so slowly, probably without you even noticing it slowly taking over your being. No one can tell me when I am in love. For if someone did, I would not believe him anyway, for no one but me would know. And even then, it is just a feeling, a certain knowledge that you are feeling this exalting emotion. That you want nothing but the best for someone, that you would never want to see them suffer a moment of sadness. That you are willing to take a great degree of pain for them. I would not go so far as to say be willing to die for your loved one, for we are all human, and we do not know what we are capable of in the face of death until that moment is upon us.
Is the love between the main characters of the film, ever so subtle and understated, no less noble than that between Romeo and Juliet? The unstated emotions, the unsaid feelings, convey far more than any repeated shouts of "I love you". The restraint shown by the lead actor, displayed ever so poignantly in the scene where he watches his love interest through the cafe window, yet never did he move to make himself known to her, was simply heart-wrenching to watch. Would most of us be selfless enough to remain hidden, knowing that her emotions and feelings could not possibly be reciprocated?
On another note, how will I deal with my own certain death? While I can claim I have been seriously ill, I can not in all honesty say that I have ever come close to death. Will I be so calm, putting all my affairs in order, and leaving instructions for others to take up what I leave behind? I suspect I will be calm, for I will have little choice in the matter. Can I be so selfless? Again, the answer will have to be in the negative. I can empathize with the anguish, knowing that your life is forfeit, that fate has dealt you a fatal blow, and that future events, however little there are of them left, are no longer under your control.
Life is nothing more than a series of small events, the culmination of which may seem great for some in retrospect. But only very rarely.
Last time I checked in here I think there was no more than one comment. I'm very glad that more people have caught on this flick now,and even more so about you all digging it as well. I caught this the night of Christmas 2004,and I found myself unable to change the channel on my TV,even though it was an Asian flick-and I'm-sadly but truly-very used not to give any chance to any Off-Hollywood products. I did that night,though,and I thank God deeply for it. I've not been able to shake that movie out of my system since-not that I've tried to or wanted to-and it still amazes me-in an extremely grateful way-that such a great,beautiful experience came in such a way,completely unexpected,like a Christmas Miracle.Please,if you got the chance go see this movie,buy it or rent it of bootleg it or whatever,but watch it. I guarantee it will affect you. I'm out of time,but I'm far from finished with my appraissal here,so Ill be back as soon as I can.
CHRISTMAS IN AUGUST is a perfect movie. A flawless movie about all the flaws of humanity. On the outside it may look like a movie about death, but is in fact a movie about life. I simply cannot recommend this movie enough. And be not afraid, dear readers, it is not a depressing film. As stated, it's a movie about the brightness of life coached under the guise of death. You will laugh. You will cry. You will realize that life is fragile and short. And you will leave the viewing with a better understanding of how precious life is.
10 out of 10
(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie and reviews of other foreign films)
10 out of 10
(go to www.nixflix.com for a more detailed review of this movie and reviews of other foreign films)
- NIXFLIX-DOT-COM
- Sep 5, 2003
- Permalink
So many people look at this and Rave, funny I found it quite boring ,no real Anything, a great live Where? A girl sat next to a guy,a girl put her arm in arm, that's it, sad of course but thousands of great movies have been made about dying etc this is not one of them..
- hebertrobert
- Jul 26, 2020
- Permalink
A quiet young bachelor runs a little photo studio in Seoul. His day to day life consists of opening and closing the store, spending time with his elderly father and the occasional visit to the hospital to receive treatment for a serious illness. The woman he loved since high school has married somebody else and now has a family. They remain acquaintances but the situation is too awkward for them to be close. One day he meets and becomes friends with a young meter maid who regularly visits his studio to develop her photos of illegally parked cars. During the hottest days of summer they allow a bond to form.
This is a truly touching movie that never gets bogged down in sentimentality. The characters are simple, but recognizable and very likable. Although they never openly reveal what is going on in their hearts, the mood and acting in this picture convey it to us perfectly. The story is sad, but never melodramatic. The final sequence, set on a wintry street, is beautiful and moving. This movie deserves to be an international hit.
This is a truly touching movie that never gets bogged down in sentimentality. The characters are simple, but recognizable and very likable. Although they never openly reveal what is going on in their hearts, the mood and acting in this picture convey it to us perfectly. The story is sad, but never melodramatic. The final sequence, set on a wintry street, is beautiful and moving. This movie deserves to be an international hit.
Palwol ui Christmas is very Korean, if you have been to Korea or have Korean friends, you should know what i mean. Korean are very traditional people, they see love very quitely. a kind of feeling you don't find in today's world. i think that is why this film is so special. it is wrong to compare this film with "Love Letter" by Shunji Iwai, japaness are very good but could never make one like Palwol ui Christmas. if you have a chance please see this movie for yourself.
This wonderful movie really takes the time to step back and tell the story without words. The end of the movie contains almost no dialogue but what is in the minds of the characters is always perfectly clear. You know the film is not going to have a happy ending but you leave the film feeling hopeful.
If you want to see a film with no guns, blood, sex, shouting angry people, hero, bad guys & girls or even clumsy love words and you want to see a film in which every shot has the meaning of "LOVE" , this one is a must see film. For me I've been waiting for a film like this all of my life.
Christmas in August presents a message which is something we all need to be reminded of - it is important to explicitly convey the value a person is to you.
The film believes that reason is important because it sees (1) life as being a series of moments that can be terminated or reformed unexpectedly.
(2) when you find a person with whom you develop a connection, living into that connection offers the potential for significant fulfillment
The film is worth seeing, despite it being a bit contrived in depicting missed opportunities. But i suggest putting that complaint aside as the film has too much value to miss.
It is well acted and filmed and does convey that all important message
The film believes that reason is important because it sees (1) life as being a series of moments that can be terminated or reformed unexpectedly.
(2) when you find a person with whom you develop a connection, living into that connection offers the potential for significant fulfillment
The film is worth seeing, despite it being a bit contrived in depicting missed opportunities. But i suggest putting that complaint aside as the film has too much value to miss.
It is well acted and filmed and does convey that all important message
- whburling-60293
- Dec 31, 2018
- Permalink
Bespectacled photographer with fatal illness indulges in hapless hopeless non romance with meter maid.
"Why are you smiling at me?" she asks. Yeah, why is he? And flippin laughing all the time. Having this terminal cancer (or whatever it is) is dead funny.
But he doesn't look very ill, seem ill, act ill. The ugly pain of dying from this mystery malady is mostly airbrushed out.
Is his Shy Smiley Man persona a way of keeping people out? Putting an ever so brave and humble front on? Or a genuine expression of joy at the preciousness of life? Or an absurd abreaction to how funny-odd life is? (when death is all there is at the end of it) Or a surreptitious wink of denial, contrived to con the people around him to lighten up, and smile – cus I'm dying man! (but I'm being a brave little boy by not making a great big song and dance about it) I'd quite like him to stop doing that stupid little laugh. Its not funny. Its ingratiating. This diffident shy charm act is fake mate.
But he still carries on insinuating the phony feel-good happy vibe with clueless girl. Smiley smile, noddy head: "Look I'm nice. I'm gonna die but i can't stop being nice about it. How happy dying makes me feel. I'm making you (meter maid) want to fall in love with me. But I'm not going to tell you. I'll keep me – and the actual Truth – quietly to myself thank you very much. I won't let love in and i won't let love out. I won't share what is really going on with me. By staying passively withheld, and impassively withdrawn, i'll hang onto some kind of sad self-effacing virtue. Which of course will make all of you watching me go "Awww" and want to give me a nice little hug".
Personally, to get more empathetic response from me I'd have needed him to drop the phony nice guy act, stop the twee smile and the ingratiating laugh, stop the wanting me to feel sorry for him (as watcher of film) – and get real. Be in authentic engagement with the people around him (in the film) Tell the girl the truth instead of doing this tepid half baked withheld involvement thing with her.
If i think about it – its the actors performance as much as his character i couldn't buy into. Too smoothly pathetic. Pathos superficially acted out but not internalised or deeply enriched from within. The bland smiley facade was all Suk-kyu Han's.
Overall, Christmas in August is disingenuously sly. The suffering is synthetic, not sympathetic. The sweetly winsome little soundtrack strokes you to be sad every 5 minutes; pouring sugary sad sentiment into the gaps were engaged characterisation should be, enlightening script – and genuinely involving, involved emotion.
A manipulative little sham this film.
"Why are you smiling at me?" she asks. Yeah, why is he? And flippin laughing all the time. Having this terminal cancer (or whatever it is) is dead funny.
But he doesn't look very ill, seem ill, act ill. The ugly pain of dying from this mystery malady is mostly airbrushed out.
Is his Shy Smiley Man persona a way of keeping people out? Putting an ever so brave and humble front on? Or a genuine expression of joy at the preciousness of life? Or an absurd abreaction to how funny-odd life is? (when death is all there is at the end of it) Or a surreptitious wink of denial, contrived to con the people around him to lighten up, and smile – cus I'm dying man! (but I'm being a brave little boy by not making a great big song and dance about it) I'd quite like him to stop doing that stupid little laugh. Its not funny. Its ingratiating. This diffident shy charm act is fake mate.
But he still carries on insinuating the phony feel-good happy vibe with clueless girl. Smiley smile, noddy head: "Look I'm nice. I'm gonna die but i can't stop being nice about it. How happy dying makes me feel. I'm making you (meter maid) want to fall in love with me. But I'm not going to tell you. I'll keep me – and the actual Truth – quietly to myself thank you very much. I won't let love in and i won't let love out. I won't share what is really going on with me. By staying passively withheld, and impassively withdrawn, i'll hang onto some kind of sad self-effacing virtue. Which of course will make all of you watching me go "Awww" and want to give me a nice little hug".
Personally, to get more empathetic response from me I'd have needed him to drop the phony nice guy act, stop the twee smile and the ingratiating laugh, stop the wanting me to feel sorry for him (as watcher of film) – and get real. Be in authentic engagement with the people around him (in the film) Tell the girl the truth instead of doing this tepid half baked withheld involvement thing with her.
If i think about it – its the actors performance as much as his character i couldn't buy into. Too smoothly pathetic. Pathos superficially acted out but not internalised or deeply enriched from within. The bland smiley facade was all Suk-kyu Han's.
Overall, Christmas in August is disingenuously sly. The suffering is synthetic, not sympathetic. The sweetly winsome little soundtrack strokes you to be sad every 5 minutes; pouring sugary sad sentiment into the gaps were engaged characterisation should be, enlightening script – and genuinely involving, involved emotion.
A manipulative little sham this film.
- thecatcanwait
- Jan 5, 2012
- Permalink
If you are one of those audience that expect high impact, lots of kisses, and soap opera plots from a love story, this might not be the right movie for you. The movie is quiet and yet its pace and mode really speak for itself. There are sadness to the movie and yet many scenes bring sweetness and tenderness between the main character and the people around him. The scene of Jung-won (the main character) and his sister spitting watermelon seeds; Jung-won writing out instructions of how to use the VCR remote for his father (reminds me of Michael Keaton in "My Life"); the ticketing girl's gesture of love by sitting closer and closer to Jung-won at the park, the old lady coming back to take her very last picture in her life; all these scenes are simple and yet they are so real and really capture audiences' heart. The ticketing girl is weird and cute. Her character definitely contributes a lot to the movie.
If you can sit through the first 15 minutes of the movie, then you are in for a great movie. Very well done.
If you can sit through the first 15 minutes of the movie, then you are in for a great movie. Very well done.
"Christmas In August" Inspirational words, beautifully said. I agree with Karfoo. - Lexii Stewart AlphabetPIX : Decor, Design & Personal Style Ideas Editor http://www.alphabetpix.com <3
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" Powerful 13 February 2001 | by Karfoo (Hong Kong) – See all my reviews How often do we live our romantic life as on the big screen, with torrid affairs and passionate encounters? Almost never, if what I see as normal life around me is anything to judge by. Romances, as previously stated, are hardly ever earthshaking affairs that leave you at the top of the world or batter and bruised.
Romance, in its every day form, as lived out millions of times over around the world, is a slow, subtle, and quiet affair. Something that grows in you, ever so slowly, probably without you even noticing it slowly taking over your being. No one can tell me when I am in love. For if someone did, I would not believe him anyway, for no one but me would know. And even then, it is just a feeling, a certain knowledge that you are feeling this exalting emotion. That you want nothing but the best for someone, that you would never want to see them suffer a moment of sadness. That you are willing to take a great degree of pain for them. I would not go so far as to say be willing to die for your loved one, for we are all human, and we do not know what we are capable of in the face of death until that moment is upon us.
Is the love between the main characters of the film, ever so subtle and understated, no less noble than that between Romeo and Juliet? The unstated emotions, the unsaid feelings, convey far more than any repeated shouts of "I love you". The restraint shown by the lead actor, displayed ever so poignantly in the scene where he watches his love interest through the cafe window, yet never did he move to make himself known to her, was simply heart-wrenching to watch. Would most of us be selfless enough to remain hidden, knowing that her emotions and feelings could not possibly be reciprocated?"
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" Powerful 13 February 2001 | by Karfoo (Hong Kong) – See all my reviews How often do we live our romantic life as on the big screen, with torrid affairs and passionate encounters? Almost never, if what I see as normal life around me is anything to judge by. Romances, as previously stated, are hardly ever earthshaking affairs that leave you at the top of the world or batter and bruised.
Romance, in its every day form, as lived out millions of times over around the world, is a slow, subtle, and quiet affair. Something that grows in you, ever so slowly, probably without you even noticing it slowly taking over your being. No one can tell me when I am in love. For if someone did, I would not believe him anyway, for no one but me would know. And even then, it is just a feeling, a certain knowledge that you are feeling this exalting emotion. That you want nothing but the best for someone, that you would never want to see them suffer a moment of sadness. That you are willing to take a great degree of pain for them. I would not go so far as to say be willing to die for your loved one, for we are all human, and we do not know what we are capable of in the face of death until that moment is upon us.
Is the love between the main characters of the film, ever so subtle and understated, no less noble than that between Romeo and Juliet? The unstated emotions, the unsaid feelings, convey far more than any repeated shouts of "I love you". The restraint shown by the lead actor, displayed ever so poignantly in the scene where he watches his love interest through the cafe window, yet never did he move to make himself known to her, was simply heart-wrenching to watch. Would most of us be selfless enough to remain hidden, knowing that her emotions and feelings could not possibly be reciprocated?"
- facebook-116-487116
- Sep 24, 2014
- Permalink
This is a wonderful film! It is understated wih minimal dialogue but conveys its messages very effectively and indirectly through images and situations. This is the sort of romantic film that western cinema usualy does poorly (compare to Me Before You). For other mature films about dealing with love and dying, I recommend Mabarosi or Kurosawa's Ikiru.
- i_go_pogo-12707
- Aug 5, 2020
- Permalink
I was lucky enough to watch this film in the recently concluded international film festival here. I was actually able to watch another South Korean film (The Power of Kangwon Province) but Christmas in August caught my attention more. The story is simple enough, the usual boy-meets-girl (or shall we say girl-meets-boy?). What made it special for me was how it was rendered. We can say that the movie was quiet and endearing. We don't have flashy and contrived romance here, only two ordinary beings made wonderful by their friendship and unexpressed love for one another. I also loved how the movie used pictures as expressions of relationships past and present. I wished that this was shown here as a regular film. I'm sure it would call out to a bigger audience.
Slow, short, gentle, calm and lovely film. A very tiny story told in a gentle manner. The treatment is the star.