“In-yun” is the Korean belief that people in different lifetimes can have some sort of connection no matter how fleeting. Writer Nora ( Greta Lee) believes this as does her childhood boyfriend Hae Sung ( Teo Yoo) who she left in Korean after emigrating to Canada with her parents.
Twelve years later the couple meet by accident on line and continue a sort of chasted , mutually intimate video link courtship until she again calls off the relationship citing it would be too long a time before they met.
Another 12 years later, Nora is living with her American writer husband in New York. Hae Sung visits them and amid much thoughts of “ In Yun what could have been” they finally go their separate ways.
Writer/ director Celine Song has crafted a gentle exploration of how change affects people, or not in the case of Hae Sung. Nora has changed her name, her culture and has a romantic job. She embraces the Hae Sung concept more than Hae Sung, the boy and man she left behind in so many ways.
It’s an interesting idea, spoilt a little by the lack of character substance, especially of Yoo’s character who is eclipsed by Nora’s Americanisation.
The film is unhurried, beautifully shot and thoughtful but I was left wanting more and receiving less
In the end, Nora’s self indulgence left me cold, and by the end of it , I was happy it was over.
I have had a few chased relationships myself in the past.
ReplyDeleteAn excellent review…”wanting more and receiving less” - fab sum up
ReplyDeleteSounds like an interesting subject for a film. It's a shame you felt it lacked something. xx
ReplyDeleteI watched the trailer online after you mentioned this new movie - was somewhat disappointed. Guess after PACHINKO there is nothing that can be more stunningly beautiful from Korea. I so love that series……..and the book was awesome to read.
ReplyDeleteMary ~
How interesting and I appreciate the review.
ReplyDeleteAbout 2 years ago, a boy I'd dated in high school called on the phone just out of the blue. There was little common ground after a brief catch-up and it was somewhat creepy. Our sons were really creeped out by the call.
Hugs!view.
Interesting...maybe Nora's self-indulgence is supposed to leave you cold? I haven't seen it yet so I'm guessing.
ReplyDeleteHugh Jackman is getting divorced!
ReplyDeleteThanks for the review. I had wanted to see it and now am glad I decided to wait for it to stream somewhere. Lynn Ewing
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