Film Review: 'The Way Home'

Directed by: Lee Jeong-Hyang Starring: Kim Eul-Boon; Yoo Seung-Ho Running time: 87 phút Rotten Tomatoes: 75%

Do not judge the film by its poster: you're in for a ride.

"THE WAY HOME", which I watched at a midnight screening yesterday, is the epitome of cinema: A film in which you can remove the dialogue entirely, and it wouldn't affect the overall experience, emotions and love of the film.

The film tells the simple story of a mute grandmother and her city-raised, poorly-mannered grandson who comes to live with her after his mother sent him there.

"The Way Home" is deceptively simple in its way of storytelling: it is less than 90 minutes (including credits), there is next to no dialogue, there is no grandiose shot of the village scene, and every interaction lasts about 1 minute before turning back to the grandma-grandson dynamic; yet, it might be the best tearjerker movie I have ever seen (Blue Valentine is a close second)

The performances are impeccable. With Jeong-Hyang's sure handed and intimate direction, every emotion from the two actors (Eul Boon as the grandma and Seung-Ho as the grandson) is brought to screen. You feel their relationship blossoming, from that of hate and misunderstanding, to that of love and pure bond.

If you don't cry during the last 10 minutes, I don't know what will move you, because when the film ended, the screening room sat in utter silence as the credits rolled to its end.

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An amazing slice of cinema and life, and you should definitely check it out when you're in the mood for a good cry.

Grade: A