Mother

South Korea 2009, 123 minutes
Dir. Joon-ho Bong
In Korean with English subtitles
Genres: Foreign Cinema, Suspense/Crime

Aroview: Cavalier Korean dir. Bong Joon-ho (THE HOST) contorts a regulation murder mystery, centred on a mother's campaign to clear her deadbeat son's suspicion of homicide, into an eccentric and unpredictable melodrama as only he could.

Easing between comedy and tragedy – a now familiar hallmark of director’s off-kilter style – the film slowly but surely reveals itself in darker tones, with the whodunit aspect of the narrative coming to the fore. One of Bong’s more absorbing storylines as a result, this is further steeped in intrigue thanks to Kim Hye-ja’s intensely determined lead performance, which plumbs the depths of maternal desperation with a psychotic, Hitchcockian flavour.

NZ International Film Festival 2009

Member Reviews

Average rating (Exceptional). Showing 1-2 of 2 member reviews.

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5 stars (Exceptional) Gripping and disturbing, and up to the quality of the director's previous films. ~Nick McB
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4 stars (Very Good) Compelling noir mystery that's at turns funny, sweet, and tragic. Stunning to look at, and it made me realise I haven't called my mom in awhile, so that's something. I'd recommend this to anybody. ~Pop&Coffee