Gakseoltang (2006) User Reviews

A good film that you've probably never heard of and that deserves your attention, especially if you love films about horses.

[dbborroughs · 7/10 · 24 March 2007]

Its a sad commentary on American film viewing that most films from Asia not having to do with action or horror are completely left out of the loop. This is a very good movie that deserves a bigger audience in the States and elsewhere.

The story of the film, very briefly, goes as follows: A girl who's mother was a jockey and who died in a riding accident, grows up with a passion for horses and a desire to follow in her mothers footsteps. Of course her father disapproves but she pursues her dream anyway.

This Korean family film is quite possibly the best looking film about horses ever made. This is a rich and gorgeous visual experience that is a joy to behold. I have never seen horses look this good ever. If you think horses are beautiful magical creatures this film is for you.

The cast is first rate with everyone turning in excellent performances, including the horses. I don't know if its clever editing or if the film makers got some remarkable horses but there are times when the horses seem to be keeping up with the humans on screen. Just watch the early scenes between the young version of our heroine and General, one of the horses, its a dead heat as to who is giving the better and more charming performance.

The story is equally good even when it moves into clichéd territory.It does have some cliché to it, it is after all a film about a girl and her horse, but that more par for the course than anything else. At the same time the film takes some atypical turns with some darker happenings that most western films would never touch (its not always happy).

I really liked this movie. How much? I had picked this film up with the intention of taking a quick look at it before handing it to a horse loving friend...well is not getting it, except as a loaner.

Not perfect, but definitely worth a look.

A splendid drama & horse racing movie (Korean style).

[cremea · 8/10 · 5 April 2012]

Lump (of) Sugar is a 206 Korean film about a girl and her horse.

SPOILERS AHEAD!

Only two users have posted a review of this film? And, nobody has bothered reviewing it since 2007?...That's just a travesty, and, it completely mystifies me that more people haven't seen this movie and thought enough of it to write a review!

Why haven't more people been watching movies from Asia (and from Korea in particular) over the last decade or so?...I hear so many excuses from my American brothers and sisters as to why they can't ever seem to watch the movies from Asia I recommend to them. Yet, they insist on dragging me to the latest horrifically awful Adam Sandler movies (I'm looking at you "Jack & Jill"), and the virtually unwatchable latest 3D/Sci-Fi crapfests (I'm looking at you "Transformers # whatever"). Maybe I need better friends or something (at least when it comes to enjoying movies with them), but I'd rather have a 24 hour prostate exam while getting a root canal, than watch either one of the 2 films referenced above ever again.

I saw Lump of Sugar almost 5 years ago, and, I absolutely loved it! The reason for this is simple; it's a pretty good movie!...No, scratch that, It's a VERY good movie!...But, hardly anybody stateside seems to know anything about it, or has ever heard of it (much less seen it). How is this possible?...are you too lazy to search out movies that are actually worth watching?...are subtitles too confusing to you, or did you simply never learn to read?...are you a racist, or are cultural differences too difficult to overcome for the sake of good cinematic experiences?...WHAT IS WRONG WITH YOU PEOPLE?...is it that difficult to just simply watch and enjoy good film making, regardless of wherever it comes from?

I'm not even going to bother writing a detailed review of this film. I think the only other 2 user reviews are adequate enough, and I mostly agree with them. But, here's my "abbreviated" review for the record anyway: "This movie is really good! It's a drama! It's rock solid throughout and leads up to a terrific climax! It's about horse racing!...The lead actress is outstanding (as almost all Korean actresses seem to be), and the rest of cast is also good (including the horses)! Watch it! You will probably like it! 8 out of 10 stars for me! Enjoy!"

WARNING: This movie is the equivalent of an emotional litmus test from start to finish. Highs and lows, and everything in between, abound throughout. Korea is exceptionally gifted in regards to this aspect of film making, and I'm not one to cry over a "silly" flick, but I know a lot of people who do; if you're one of those that tend to get emotional over certain dramas, you might want to get a big box tissues ready prior to watching this wonderful movie!

A solid 8 stars overall. HIGHLY Recommended!

One of the Very Best Films of 2006. See It Now!

[ebossert · 10/10 · 16 July 2007]

I'll be honest. The only reason I rented this film was because Su-jeong Lim starred in it. My first Su-jeong experience was with A Tale of Two Sisters (2003), which is without a doubt the finest film ever made. Next came the very powerful and moving film …ing (2003). Afterward came the entertaining – yet over-dramatic – Sad Movie (2005), in which Su-yeong only played a supporting role. Just recently I had the pleasure of experiencing the wacked out romantic comedy I'm A Cyborg, But That's Okay (2006), where Su-jeong gives a remarkably quirky and downright crazy performance. She's quite simply the best actress on the face of the planet at this very moment. The Chinese actress Zhao Wei is a close second though.

I had no idea this film was about horseracing. All I knew was that it had Su-jeong Lim and cute horsies. How could I resist? In any case, this film is so powerful that it made me bawl like a little baby. I kid you not. Yeah, it has a bit of that melodramatic tear-jerking feel to it, but it never feels cheap or manipulative in its execution because the relationships between the characters (including the horse) are so well-developed and powerful.

Although much of the film focuses on Su-jeong as an inexperienced jockey who chooses to conquer the challenges of horseracing, there is also considerable attention paid to the fairytale like love between Su-yeong and her horse. Heck, I'd even say that the horse itself was given significant character development – so much so that the horse itself becomes the main character during the final 20 minutes of the film. Note that this is not accomplished with an overly simplistic event. On the contrary, the viewer experiences the pain and suffering of the horse throughout the film, and is given some excellent statements that are indirectly made by the horse in classic Kim Ki-duk fashion – i.e., through actions absent of words. By the end of the movie the viewer will have no choice but respect the character of the horse and readily admit that he is one tough son-of-a-gun.

The racing scenes themselves are perhaps the best ever committed to celluloid. The camera-work hits you from lots of different angles. I loved the wide shots from ground level, with the camera rolling alongside the great beasts to allow the speed, grace, and power of the horses to shine through. This is especially true during the night-time finale under the lights, which has an even greater sense of intensity.

It is important to understand that this is a very mainstream Korean film that is very marketable to western audiences. I personally prefer the weirder stuff, but a great film is a great film. This is easily one of the best films of 2006, if not THE best drama of that year. I do not say such things lightly. See this now!