Do Not Expect Cutesy / Fluffy
I've read reviews that the story is predictable, but don't let that deter you. Take joy in Uhm Tae-Goo's performance, as well as the rest of the cast. Also beautiful is the drumming and singing...reminiscent of Native American pow-wows (along with some of the humor in the chants).Some viewers start this movie thinking it's a rom-com, it is not. It is poignant and bittersweet. I very much liked it and will probably see it again in the future; but I do realize it is not for everybody.
A brain damaged 29 year old who desperately wants to do what he loves one last time and knowing he is on the fast track to dementia is human emotion on a deeper level. Or, like our main character when he sees the strays, maybe I just empathize too much
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This review may contain spoilers
My Punch Drunk Boxer is a calm film, moving at a pace as idyllic as the seaside town it is set in. It is a letter to times almost forgotten, the air of remembrance present in the smallest of details. You see almost no digital devices, the clothing is generic enough to be timeless and within each character, you find hints of yearning for the prime that they lack. From Min Ji still confused about life, Gyo Hwan pushing forward for his and the forgotten past of Byeonggu and Director Park, you get a sense of listlessness that seeps into every scene.
The editing is choppy at times, so choppy that it has to be intentional, often coinciding with moments we see Byeonggu’s condition deteriorates. The sudden, confusing cuts mirror his own perception and provide a look into his mind. Indeed, Byeonggu and Director Park are the only characters granted with a clear point of view, the two who are in a time that is not theirs.
The simple but effective cinematography captures both, the sense of a forgotten place and the turmoil of the characters. Many wide shots are used, the action occupying only a small portion of the frame while life goes on around the characters. Even the last shot of the film is seen from a distance and even though only two are present, they are too far away to connect with. Close ups are reserved for heightened moments and often only for Byeonggu.
The colour palette also lends into the emotions. For ordinary scenes outside the gym, the colouring is often realistic and chaotic. The scenes in the gym are almost the same but surrounded by warm yellow that makes it seem oddly nostalgic - as if the gym almost exists in sepia
It is during the most emotional scenes that the palette narrows down drastically - from opening sequence, the confession in Min Ji’s room, the final conversation in the gym and the last match, the colours become unreal. Saturated. The palette becomes darker ans focused and you just know that something important is about to happen.
From the incorporation of traditional music, the emptiness in the boxing world and our forgetting and forgotten hero, this film dwells in the past without the wistful happiness of nostalgia. Far from perfect, it is just a peek into the feeling of fading away.
You get the crux about midway, in a scene where Byeonggu speaks to himself about his grandfather and how forgot himself. Every moment aches for something long gone because the biggest tragedy here is not forgetting or being forgotten but rather knowing that you are forgetting and being forgotten.
The performances are delightfully restrained and the cast works well together, speaking naturally with a certain ease. All in all, a good film to watch on a rainy day.
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A very heartwarming story
Its a heartwarming story of a boxer that experiences a very bad past never gave up on what he loves to to which is boxing. He continues his journey as a boxer inspite of his medical condition, he continues his passion for he doesn't want to regret it someday that he didn't try to do it. With the help of the people who were with him and believe in his capabilities he never give up abd it pushes him to do it for himself and to the people that believe in him.There are many regrets that he experienced that is why he holds no bar in continuing his passiop. The boxing may have given up on him but he is so determined to make it.
Its a heartwarming story wherein a person can be a survivor in facing any difficulties thay may come as long as he fights on what he loves to do. Just like the ML never gives up inspite of his medical condition .
He does boxing with a different twist he plays boxing with Pansory Style that makes him unique.
You will love to see his determination here, irs a cute and funny movie.
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My hyeri, this was like her entertainer character, a “sunflower” randomly loving and caring for ml
The ml was so annoying, he was always mumbling his lines and everyone was whispering and then they’d blast the music and sound effects it hurt my head
Also it fell on the type of movies I hate, too set driven, too one dimensional, too boxy, too artificial
I thought this aired today but it’s been 5 years, so it makes sense they were so annoying acting wise
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This review may contain spoilers
Main character has a syndrome similliar to alzheimer and cause of that he won't be able to box
Not bad movie, kinda liked it. It was all about or mostlly about his syndrome and about him wanting to box but he couldn't at the end cause of the syndrome. Really liked the female lead, and for the male lead they made his character in story really weird like if i personally would meet him in the street i would be scared of him. For me not bad movie, should have better ending or season2 and they really should have made the male character less weird.__________________________________________________________Was this review helpful to you?
