callmebookaholic
I will defend this movie with my WHOLE HEART... and with my credible degree in Literature.
I just finished it and came here to look through the reviews, expecting more people to understand how brilliant Kill Bok Soon is but alas, not many have interpreted the intricate plot and characters as positively. Now, let's look at what this movie was actually aiming to portray.
The characters are quite well-written. They have justifiable motives that drive their actions. Their interactions with Boksoon are not only complex and multidimensional but also reflect the realistic strained relationships one would encounter in professional and personal life. The dialogues very much support their respective obligations or responsibilities or values and function to corroborate their further actions. You could say, it was all so carefully crafted because each plot point, character, and dialogue served its intended purpose.
A major portion of this movie revolves around a mother-daughter relationship and while people would say that it depicts the struggles of a single mother, I think it goes way beyond that. It shows the juxtaposition of the mother's struggles as opposed to her daughter's, indirectly expressing how they both can only partially fathom where the other comes from. At the same time, over the course of the movie, you would see them communicating yet, also delivering so much more nuance by just being there, waiting for the other to open up, and eventually, hearing each other out. They both make space for each other and also respect as well as encourage what the other values. This movie is very much about the unspoken secrets and truths that linger in familial relationships. It is also about staying true to yourself despite what a harsh world's norms expect out of you.
Beyond that, it minimally shows the boundaries and expectations drawn out for women but nothing we don't already know of. I am glad it does not spare too much time for it because there was so much to show rather than simply recounting the ever-existing and glaring sexism. A more specific example would be the fact that Boksoon kills some very unlikeable characters for very clear reasons. She severed toxic professional relationships for positive and valuable ones which shows her development as a character who kills not only for a purpose but also to uphold her principles and morals.
I don't want to spoil anything beyond this but please look out for the underlying messages that the movie delivers.
The characters are quite well-written. They have justifiable motives that drive their actions. Their interactions with Boksoon are not only complex and multidimensional but also reflect the realistic strained relationships one would encounter in professional and personal life. The dialogues very much support their respective obligations or responsibilities or values and function to corroborate their further actions. You could say, it was all so carefully crafted because each plot point, character, and dialogue served its intended purpose.
A major portion of this movie revolves around a mother-daughter relationship and while people would say that it depicts the struggles of a single mother, I think it goes way beyond that. It shows the juxtaposition of the mother's struggles as opposed to her daughter's, indirectly expressing how they both can only partially fathom where the other comes from. At the same time, over the course of the movie, you would see them communicating yet, also delivering so much more nuance by just being there, waiting for the other to open up, and eventually, hearing each other out. They both make space for each other and also respect as well as encourage what the other values. This movie is very much about the unspoken secrets and truths that linger in familial relationships. It is also about staying true to yourself despite what a harsh world's norms expect out of you.
Beyond that, it minimally shows the boundaries and expectations drawn out for women but nothing we don't already know of. I am glad it does not spare too much time for it because there was so much to show rather than simply recounting the ever-existing and glaring sexism. A more specific example would be the fact that Boksoon kills some very unlikeable characters for very clear reasons. She severed toxic professional relationships for positive and valuable ones which shows her development as a character who kills not only for a purpose but also to uphold her principles and morals.
I don't want to spoil anything beyond this but please look out for the underlying messages that the movie delivers.
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