"To children, parents are the universe; to parents, children are gods. They can do nothing, yet, still, they serve for a lifetime... as gods."
It’s deep and rich, yet familiar. It’s less funny than expected, but more touching than anticipated. Surprisingly novel, yet ultimately predictable. While it may not make complete sense in the head, it is fully accepted in the heart, so it’s not bad. It contains a lot, but ultimately leads to one path, and yet, it’s a ‘Big Family’ completed with the director's experience and old-fashioned style.
The film is a heartwarming family human comedy that unfolds when cute grandchildren, whom the owner of the dumpling restaurant 'Pyeongmanok' (Kim Yoon-seok) has never seen before, visit him due to his son (Lee Seung-gi) becoming a monk. This is the new work from director Yang Woo-seok, known for 'The Attorney' and 'Steel Rain,' marking his return after four years, and Lee Seung-gi's return to the screen after six years.
The self-made Han Mu-ok has never had a peaceful day. He experienced the pain of the Korean War in his childhood, worked tirelessly in his youth to make a living, and now, just when life was getting better, he faces the end of his lineage. His only son has become a monk, so what good is being a property owner when there are no descendants to inherit it?
The same goes for Han Moon-seok, who went from being a smart medical student to a superstar monk. He always hears and speaks good words, smiling, but his heart is filled with anger and sadness. He goes home for every ritual, but it’s so awkward and uncomfortable that it’s hard to even share a meal with his father.
One day, pitiful children appear before them. Moreover, they claim to be Moon-seok's biological children. With the arrival of grandchildren, Mu-ok enjoys happiness with an innocent smile, while a bewildered Moon-seok prioritizes fact-checking. However, these children have a huge secret about their birth. The story unfolds as they untangle their respective complicated threads.
Good ingredients have been carefully brewed to create a rich old flavor. It simmers and simmers. The base contains a message about the truths of the world, the seasoning is the ensemble of the actors, and the kick is the modern theme of 'sperm donation.' In a world where even blood relatives struggle to be harmonious, how much more difficult will the journey of those who share no blood be? The common, most beautiful truth of all religions that binds this complicated relationship into one is 'love.'
Kim Yoon-seok leads the film confidently, delicately fulfilling each of his assigned tasks. Lee Seung-gi, who even underwent a shocking bald transformation, is adequate. Thus, while harmonious, he leaves no particular impression relative to his screen time.
The rediscovery of Kim Sung-ryung and Park Soo-young brings a rich umami flavor even with common ingredients, and the child actors are the 'cheat key' of this film. The brief but intense impression left by Kang Han-na is also noteworthy.
The problem is that there is a lack of subtlety. It lacks sophistication. Starting with youthful energy infused with comedy, it gradually becomes more old-fashioned as it rides the melodrama. Despite the compact narrative and a few symbolic scenes being sufficient to understand the characters and follow the ensuing events, too much time is spent on past episodes. The lengthy and clichéd backstories become tedious and boring.
In a rapidly changing society, it is meaningful to reflect on what the definition of family is, even amidst the confusion and the vastly different realities people face. The emotional continuation from healthy melodrama is also welcome. However, the journey to find that answer and the ending feel overly fantastical. The approach is old-fashioned, and the message is excessively direct and didactic. There are few straightforward segments. (Regardless of the director's intentions and hopes) it may feel like an unrealistic imposition (teaching) to some. Therefore, it seems that opinions will be quite divided for a family film that is kind and easygoing. The quality of the CGI is also somewhat lacking. P.S. The time spent is not wasted, but the ticket price...
Releasing on December 11. Rated for ages 12 and up. Running time: 106 minutes.
