Review by Chang May Choon of The New Paper, 11 Oct 05
(changmc@sph.com.sg)
Spouse Swop
April Snow
Starring: Bae Yong Joon, Son Ye Jin
Director: Hur Jin Ho
Rating : 3.5 (max is 5)
The skinny: A man and a woman realise that their spouses are having an affair with each other after the two end up in a severe car accident.
Deeply shattered, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other as well and what started out as mutual empathy soon grows into love.
The Review: This is a quiet film about irony, about how two total strangers trapped in a desperate situation manage to find hope and love where they least expect it.
Infidelity is not an easy topic but director Hur Jin Ho approaches it with sensitivity and his signature lyrical style.
Silence speaks volumes, as does the haunting sadness in the accompanying orchestral soundtrack, and grim misery always hangs on the beautiful faces of leading actors Bae Yong Joon and Son Ye Jin.
He plays a lighting director, and she, a housewife.
From the moment they realise their spouses have been cheating on them, we are assailed with numerous crying scenes as they painstakingly grapple with a multitude of emotions, ranging from betrayal to anger, helplessness, and eventually, new love.
But too much of anything is not good.
While the two protagonists take turns to vent their emotions through tears, my lachrymal glands malfunctioned, although i am known to cry at movies.
Both actors put up credible performances to tug at heartstrings, especially Ye Jin with her woeful eyes.
But, while i could empathise with why they were so upset, my heart could not feel for them.
It may have something to do with lack of memorable lines or how the camera lingers way too long on the actors' faces, leaving little to the imagination.
Yes, they make a handsome couple, but more substance is needed for emotional impact.
The one scene that justifies the ticket price: When Yong Joon flaunts his very well-sculpted chest in two intimate scenes.
The one scene that will make you squirm in your seat: When Yong Joon cries so hard that his nose leaks.
So much for that perfect gentleman image.
Best Quote: "Shall we have an affair? That will make them flip!" an intoxicated Ye Jin tells Yong Joon her suggestion for a revenge.
Moral of the story: Too much crying spoils the mood..
FAST FACTS
April Snow is director Hur Jin Ho's third movie dealing with the topic of love. As with his two previous projects, Christmas In August and One Fine Spring Day, there is not a single man-made set in sight.
The entire movie was shot against natural scenery in the quiet coastal town of Samcheok in Gangwando. A heavy but unexpected snowfall in March helped to set the backdrop for several key scenes.
To add to the reality of the film, lead actor Bae Yong Joon broke his rule of never drinking on the set and drank some shoju (Korean rice wine) to make himself look flushed in his first emotional break-down scene.
He also ungrudgingly did this scene 60 times and it was the last one that eventually made it to the big screen.
--------------------------------------------
Note:
(1) This reporter went to Korea to take up korean lessons before and it also shows that she has done her "homework"-director style of filming.....
(2) There is also another article on today's New Paper on SYJ...but it's too long to type it out...kekeke... wait till i get the online version and i will post it here....Though it was on SYJ....but SYJ did talked a little about BYJ..
(changmc@sph.com.sg)
Spouse Swop
April Snow
Starring: Bae Yong Joon, Son Ye Jin
Director: Hur Jin Ho
Rating : 3.5 (max is 5)
The skinny: A man and a woman realise that their spouses are having an affair with each other after the two end up in a severe car accident.
Deeply shattered, they find themselves inexplicably drawn to each other as well and what started out as mutual empathy soon grows into love.
The Review: This is a quiet film about irony, about how two total strangers trapped in a desperate situation manage to find hope and love where they least expect it.
Infidelity is not an easy topic but director Hur Jin Ho approaches it with sensitivity and his signature lyrical style.
Silence speaks volumes, as does the haunting sadness in the accompanying orchestral soundtrack, and grim misery always hangs on the beautiful faces of leading actors Bae Yong Joon and Son Ye Jin.
He plays a lighting director, and she, a housewife.
From the moment they realise their spouses have been cheating on them, we are assailed with numerous crying scenes as they painstakingly grapple with a multitude of emotions, ranging from betrayal to anger, helplessness, and eventually, new love.
But too much of anything is not good.
While the two protagonists take turns to vent their emotions through tears, my lachrymal glands malfunctioned, although i am known to cry at movies.
Both actors put up credible performances to tug at heartstrings, especially Ye Jin with her woeful eyes.
But, while i could empathise with why they were so upset, my heart could not feel for them.
It may have something to do with lack of memorable lines or how the camera lingers way too long on the actors' faces, leaving little to the imagination.
Yes, they make a handsome couple, but more substance is needed for emotional impact.
The one scene that justifies the ticket price: When Yong Joon flaunts his very well-sculpted chest in two intimate scenes.
The one scene that will make you squirm in your seat: When Yong Joon cries so hard that his nose leaks.
So much for that perfect gentleman image.
Best Quote: "Shall we have an affair? That will make them flip!" an intoxicated Ye Jin tells Yong Joon her suggestion for a revenge.
Moral of the story: Too much crying spoils the mood..
FAST FACTS
April Snow is director Hur Jin Ho's third movie dealing with the topic of love. As with his two previous projects, Christmas In August and One Fine Spring Day, there is not a single man-made set in sight.
The entire movie was shot against natural scenery in the quiet coastal town of Samcheok in Gangwando. A heavy but unexpected snowfall in March helped to set the backdrop for several key scenes.
To add to the reality of the film, lead actor Bae Yong Joon broke his rule of never drinking on the set and drank some shoju (Korean rice wine) to make himself look flushed in his first emotional break-down scene.
He also ungrudgingly did this scene 60 times and it was the last one that eventually made it to the big screen.
--------------------------------------------
Note:
(1) This reporter went to Korea to take up korean lessons before and it also shows that she has done her "homework"-director style of filming.....
(2) There is also another article on today's New Paper on SYJ...but it's too long to type it out...kekeke... wait till i get the online version and i will post it here....Though it was on SYJ....but SYJ did talked a little about BYJ..
