NYFF 2010: Poetry
Let me say that Poetry is not nearly as slow as that picture might indicate. At the festival last year they screened Mother by Joon-Ho Bong, one of my favorite filmmakers right now, and anyone who watches Poetry will probably think of Mother at some point during or after the film.
Both films are from directors leading the charge of South Korean cinema both focus on elderly Asian women caring for ne'er-do-well children. Whereas the son in Mother was actually mentally challenged, the son in Poetry is just plain pathetic as a boy who leeches off his grandmother and also scolds her whenever she "annoys" him. If his disrespect isn't enough to make you despise him, he is also part of a group of boys that rape a young girl and, in effect, cause her to commit suicide.
Yang Mija, the grandmother, is beginning to succumb to the problems that arise with old age both physically and mentally. Her muscles begin to twist, making her feel "electric" sensations in her body, and she is also showing the first signs of Alzheimer's by forgetting everyday nouns. To combat these problems she begins to exercise, and signs up for a poetry class. She reflects that fifty years ago someone told her she would make a good poet and she suddenly decides she has an interest in it.
Yang has a number of problems to deal with, and a lot of stress, yet she is unable to write poetry. She is responsible for her son's actions, and is asked to pay part of a potential settlement with the young girl's mother. She works part-time bathing and caring for an unappreciative and cranky old man, and all this while dealing with her physical and mental problems.
The character is wonderfully played by Yoon Jeong-Hee, who according to Wikipedia has not acted in a role since 1994. If that's the case, then this is a hell of a comeback. The story is very involving, but my one qualm is that the script could have been polished up some more. There are so many subplots and characters that at times I felt too much was going on and that the film had lost focus. It's unfortunate, because this was a film that was on the verge of being excellent. The final scene is wonderful.
While I didn't love it, I was impressed enough to add some of Lee Chang-dong's films to my Netflix queue. I would consider that a commendation for him and Poetry.
3 / 5 stars
