Review of Poetry (2010) by Daniel K — 10 Oct 2011
3: Sadly, given the rave reviews from the likes of Dargis, and my previous experience with Chang-dong Lee, I was actually a bit disappointed. Poetry is a quieter and more restrained film than Secret Sunshine, which contained moments of extreme anguish and pain that were physically difficult to watch.
The performances here are more contained and subtle, yet they are extremely powerful and moving in their own right. The protagonists performance is so emotionally complex it demands your attention and simply draws you in closer and closer over the course of the film.
As I expected there is of course a horrible tragedy around which the picture revolves, but as opposed to a more average film (say anything on this topic from Hollywood), there is essentially no attempt to explain the motives behind it.
It is simply part of the world, and this woman's life in particular. The ending scene beautifully wraps up the film, but I was still left with a feeling less than exultation. This is the kind of film that demands 100% of your attention and for one to be in the right frame of mind from the start.
Perhaps it will grow on me in the future, as it is brilliantly done.
This review of Poetry (2010) was written by Daniel K on 10 Oct 2011.
Poetry has generally received very positive reviews.
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