Marathon (2005) User Reviews

Unique, highly recommended!

[icltthl · 9/10 · 24 February 2006]

This is a film that captures the fine nuances of human emotions (or the inability to express them in the case of the autistic character). It explores in a realistic and heartfelt manner a family with an autistic child, and the outside world from which the child is protected. Thanks to a good script, good acting, and good production all round, their story was brought to life and we can really feel for the characters in this movie. On the one hand, this film is complex as it touches on many different themes (I leave it for the viewers to find out), but on the other, it is so simple as it touches on the deepest of our roots and emotions.

this looks bound for a Hollywood remake

[Supergrass · 8/10 · 8 July 2005]

this film is a charming look at an autistic man who overcomes his mental deficiencies with the drive of his mother to successfully race in marathons around Korea. while this may sound like a conventional plot, the great performances by the actors playing the autistic man and his mother propel this film into thoughtful melodrama. the film is also based on the true story of a 21 year old korean man suffering from autism who has successfully won marathons in Korea with help from his mother.

marathon is the top film in Korea currently and a quick sweep of the korean video shops in nyc reveals that the dvds are ALWAYS sold out.

bring tissues to your screening, this is a major tear jerker worth seeing.

What a wonderful film!!!

[strick00 · 10/10 · 9 June 2005]

I saw this film on a recent trip to Korea and was absolutely blown away! I'm still thinking about it and trying to get my hands on a copy. Seung Woo Cho's portrayal of an autistic boy whose mother encourages him to start running is brilliant and heartbreaking. The film accurately illustrates the social and private difficulties for people with autism and their families. Based on a true story, you can't help but fall in love with this boy because he's so pure-hearted and misunderstood by everyone, even his own family members. His mother even questions her feelings about him, which is something rarely shown in films. Despite the odds, he becomes a champion without meaning to or wanting to, and by the end of the film you are in awe of what this person accomplished. Everyone should see this film and experience the joy and agony. Korean cinema has never been so poignant! Just a warning--you might want to keep a box of tissues beside you, especially for the second half of the film. If you see one foreign film this year, please make it this one!

Touching

[dvazp · 10/10 · 9 February 2006]

This is a very warm and poetic film. It's about a mother's relationship with her autistic son and her insecurities regarding him, about his desire to run a marathon and how that relates to his relationship with his mother, and about how his running coach inadvertently helps to bring them together. It is one of the most touching films I have seen in many years.

Some people have compared it to Rain Man, but that's a comparison which does not stand. Firstly, the selfishness of Tom Cruise character and Dustin Hoffman's overacting make Rain Man a far less touching film because the characters are far less sympathetic. There is also the crucial difference in that in Rain Man the Tom Cruise character really had no interest in his autistic brother and did not wish to really have any type of relationship with him. In Marathon, however, the whole film is about the problems the mother has precisely because she wants to have a relationship with her son. It is this dilemma (the wanting to have a relationship and not really being able to do it) which makes the film so interesting and touching.

Furthermore the acting is very good, the cinematography is rich but not overdone, the music is very good at emphasising the poignancy of particular situations and the film has a wonderful pace: neither too fast nor too slow. All in all a very enjoyable film highly recommended for anyone who wants to smile, laugh, cry and generally feel happy.

Wonderful, simply wonderful!

[daniel_sjoholm · 10/10 · 29 May 2005]

Korea is definitely the most interesting movie producer for the time being (and will probably expand even more in the future!), they keep pumping out masterpiece after masterpiece in all different genres recently (taegukgi, my sassy girl, old boy, memories of murder someone?). And this time a hearth warming story about a autistic boy called Cho-won who loves running more than anything. I wont in detail go through the story, you simply have to experience it yourself. But i can say as much as this movie contains everything which makes a movie in this genre good. You will laugh, you will cry, you will get that warm feeling inside your spine.

RUN and watch this! You wont regret it. Go! Go! GO Korea!

A Beautiful Dream Called Life

[infinito2345 · 10/10 · 17 March 2006]

Well this is a movie about personal struggle of a mother and her son who is diagnosed with autism.I mean i am tired of seeing all these meaningless romantic comedies which are churned out these days.This movie simply the story of these two persons and how they navigate through their lives against all odds.It evokes the deepest of your emotions with it's brutal honesty and simplicity.It is about a disabled person who runs to find meaning in his life.It is a story of the triumph of human spirit.I am really surprised that they make movies like these anymore.I definitely assure you that watching this movie will change your life.A brilliant masterpiece about the indomitable human spirit.Fantastic performances from all the cast.Compelling and powerful.Highly recommended.

P.S. I truly broke down after seeing this movie.I sobbed my heart out and felt strangely happy about it afterwards.

inspires even the non-autistics.

[donaguan-1 · 10/10 · 2 June 2005]

Jeong Yun Cheol's directorial debut 'marathon' will be without a doubt one of the best feel-good movies coming out of the South-Korea cinema this year.This moving human drama stars Cho Seung Woo who portrays a twenty year old autistic man with a passion for running with brilliance . Encouraged by his mother played by actress Kim Mi Sook , Cho Won begins to participate in local races,all in preparation for the ultimate goal 'The marathon'.To achieve her goals the mother approaches an ex-marathon runner (played by Lee kim young) who fel out of grace, to coach her autistic son and help him achieve this life-goal.

Director cheol gives us a wonderful story with some 'jungle' symbolism ,and subtle humor about an autistic man who is trapped in his own world.A coach who finds back some dignity in his pupil.A mother that suffers because her child is not like the others.A brother who feels neglected by his mother,and an absent father who watches everything from a distance.

At the end you can't stop but admire this movie, and it's strong cast and rave about actor Cho Seung Woo brilliant performance that will even inspire the non-autistic people to achieve theire life-goals.