This is a Korean film, and I'm not sure there could be anything like it from the American film industry. Part of this is cultural, as the interpersonal relationships in Korea between male and female, rich and poor, and family members are different than in the US. People have different options when it comes to crime, although that might translate more closely to the US. One of the biggest differences, though, is the restraint in this film. Chang-dong Lee wrote and directed, and I will be checking out his other films. This movie relies on the facial expressions of the star and attitude and body language more than it does on dialogue.
The movie stars Jeong-hie Yun stars as Mija, a mid-60's woman who gets by on her social security and a part time job as a maid / caretaker. Her daughter has divorced and moved away to work, leaving her son to live with Mija. The boy is young, probably in early high school, and is sullen and rude with a strong sense of entitlement.
Mija's life is already tough, and then she learns she has the beginning stages of Alzheimer's. And then a huge family crisis develops. As the film starts, Mija enters a poetry class, and this class, this bit of relief or the distraction of art keep her grounded as the movie unfolds.
If you think you know where this story is going, forget it. This is not like something you'd have seen before, because I certainly haven't. Jeong-hie could get a best actress nomination for this. It would be deserved.
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