Piteopaeneui gongshik (2005) User Reviews

Hard to explain

[kosmasp · 6/10 · 21 April 2007]

Another movie from the International Film Festival in Berlin. But this one is a tough sell. The title (at least the English title, I don't know how accurate it's translated from the original one) might suggest a happy movie ... or for cynics a horror film, in which Michael Jackson stars ...

Seriously though, this movie is about acquiring Adulthood. But than again, it's more about staying a kid inside, too. A son who also tries (even literally) to go "back" ... which leads to some disgusting scenes (viewer discretion is absolutely advised) and a romance ... if you can call it that. But still in all this mess, this movie somehow, more often than not, retains the path it chose and remains philosophical enough for you to like it (if you can get "into" it). The ending might be confusing, but then again, it also might a really obvious one for you ...

Interesting at first but ultimately a let down

[phd_travel · 5/10 · 20 April 2021]

This movie wasn't good because of the ending. It's a serious explicit film festival type movie and it starts off in a pretty straightforward and involving way. A teenage boy has to suddenly grow up because his mother is in a coma after a suicide attempt. Subsequently he faces financial pressures and has to care for her physically in a hospital. He even resorts to robbing stores for money. Meanwhile he gets involved with an older married lady next door. On Joo Wan is a good actor. If you have seen him in other dramas he is convincing and watchable. All the different things seem like the first few episodes of a drama series. If only the ending had been more definite and conclusive it might have been okay. It felt like a waste of time since things weren't resolved.