What I got, however, was a very real story of broken individuals with difficult family lives who deal with very believable and relatable situations just trying to figure things out as best they can. There is no antagonist in this piece other than life itself.
In the first half of the movie, we see Jeon Do-Yeon playing a very stoic mother of a mentally handicapped boy who we later learn seems to be the glue that is holding her marriage together. Once she is back on home ground, however, we see her in a different light as she is successfully running her family fashion line and seems more confident that she was in Finland. The moral conflict caused by the affair is more apparent in her character and she portrays the hesitation very well.
Gong Yoo’s character is one that pleasantly surprised me here. Granted I am biased with all matters Yoo, however he lost points when choosing to depict an adulterous father of a depressed child and mentally unstable wife. This role portrayed by any other actor would have come across as sleazy and stalker-ish but with him there is an innocence and vulnerability that oddly makes you root for him and the couple.
Finland itself seems to be a character in the movie as it visually depicts the isolation felt by our protagonists as well as the lack of any warmth in their current relationships. I could go on about the symbolic significance of the sauna in the woods, the hotel suites where our couple has their trist or their train ride in the second half of the movie but that would take forever.
If you are looking for a bubbly romance or are watching with boxes of tissue ready at hand, then this may not be the one for you. If however, you want to see the world from an alternative point of view or just really feel something down to your soul, then I highly recommend this movie.
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It is about the area of tension between longing, choices in life, accountability and responsibility.
"A Man and a Woman" is emotionally profound, yet subtly leading into intimate depths where it hurts, too. There are no pink ribbons. And the intimate encounter of two souls does not miraculously sort out the problems of the world in a groundbreaking way. Life is difficult. There are also unexpected beautiful moments. But life remains difficult. Is that why it's bad? Only bad? "A Man and a Woman" paints a portrait of two people who have careers of their choice and families - but life is still no lollipop. It is about having an affair. It is about wanting another life. It is about the area of tension between longing, choices in life, accountability and responsibility.Highly valuable.
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This is a movie for those who love character driven stories because it is pretty much all about the "man and woman"'s feelings and how they react to them despite their real life and responsibilities towards their beloved ones. Don't get me wrong the story isn't original, nothing new about it but the way it delivered the "feels" is top notch classic. I felt like watching a movie from the 70s and 80s I really wholeheartedly enjoyed every bits and every second of this beautiful full of feelings story.
Acting: It is not surprising that Gong Yoo would steal my heart and make my heart beat like crazy with every gaze he gave to the woman he loves. This is has got to be one of his best performances! He didn't even had much to say in the movie there wasn't much dialog for him yet he was able to deliver such powerful intense feelings which isn't really new for Gong Yoo he has done it before and he EXCELS in it. Jeon Do-Yeon was perfect she delivered those complicated "silent" emotions in such a good way I was so happy she was GY's partner in this movie (excellent casting choice). As I said "A Man and A Woman" doesn't really have new story there is nothing new here or mind blowing but GY and JDY brought this normal overused story into life and made their characters so real with intense emotions even though they didn't have much dialog. I felt their stares, i felt their gazes, i felt their strong desire for one another, i felt their longing... I swear I almost felt "there has to be something going on between those two in real life howw else can they deliver all that silent intensity just by looking at each other". Thank you for this amazing wonderful performance.
This isn't a movie for everyone, you have to be a classic lover to appreciate this. If you are into the "feels" and "emotions" delivered, if you are into character and emotion driven movies then this movie is for you. If you are looking for happy fluffy romance, if you are looking for a romance where you can cheer on and can justify then this is not your movie. The reason I say this, is because I do believe many people here are low rating classic dramas which had the same feels to this movie so I realized it doesn't appeal to everyone. I've seen this one in the cinema and most of the audience were middle aged and older I guess I wasn't the only one who thinks this is classic one :)
Thank you for this beautiful movie.
Another thing I appreciated is all the whiteness (snow) in this movie even though it was for a short time but it gave me the chills because I remembered my most beloved drama Winter Sonata (not story wise only the sceneries).
Bonus:
Gong Yoo's interview regarding this movie
http://mydramalist.com/profile/Marooya/feeds/1GJQDXtb
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This review may contain spoilers
The movie begins with a woman Sang-Min (Jeon Do-Yeon) whom has a son on the spectrum (autistic), who she loves to death. Ki-Hong (Gong-Yoo) has a daughter with an extreme form of depression, whom he loves to death. Their children is what brought them together, and sadly it's what keeps them apart. The movie doesn't hold punches as many Korean dramas/movies do, it is void of tropes and foolish mishaps. You won't see a character slipping and falling into a kiss, or running away for half the movie trying to not figure out there love. There isn't any long waits for kissing. There isn't any long waits for feelings to be revealed, everything is laid on the table right away. Leaving you to feel the connection between the two characters from the get go. Sadly this movie swimming in reality leads to some harsh realities. If our main male lead is to leave his now wife, she will kill herself. And if she kills herself his daughter will never recover. He has to choose between the love of his life, and his daughter's well being. This isn't a fluffy "they might get together later on" kind of movie. You know from the void Sang-Min is left with on the cold road smoking that cigarette that it's over. Ki-Hong tears represent that his love is not gone, but he cannot have it. It's a great movie, the soundtrack isn't loud but flows. The instruments during the love making scenes, during the empty conversations, during the happy moments, and even during the harsh ending fit so very well. Watch it! It'll make you enjoy good cinema, with harsh endings. 10/10 for me
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I think this is what you get living in regrets, a man and a woman with regrets in their lives, if they were not married, it is called, second chance and might lead to a happy ending; but in their status, it was an escape, a fantasy which leads to a reality that they can never be together.
I guess it is always easy to fall in love with a new person compare to be in love again with the same person.
But this is just one story, there can still be another story, when you free yourself from regrets, move on, and challenge yourself to discover something new about marriage and love. If it is love, then regardless of how many times you failed and got hurt, there can always be a happy ending without the need to spend for another wedding :))
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First - i watch it because oppa Gong Yo as the main actors.
Second - i love the story line, very natural and seem real. I love the intimate scene and its really are describing how they in love.
Eventhough im not really like loose ending but i still love it very much. This become my number 1 fav korean movie
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some type of way
So as a hardcore Gong Yoo fan, if it's got him in it, I'm always willing to watch. I didn't read the description and went into this movie blind, not knowing what the plot was and I gotta say... I'm feeling some type of way for obvious reasons.lol If you're looking for some fluffy sweet romance TURN BACK! You won't find that here. If you're down for some infidelity you're in the right spot. I enjoyed the story/plot over all but the ending had me with some "What in the Fresh Hell is this?!" feelings. This is a movie that gives a very accurate dark and light depiction of what you're willing to do to help your family and also what you're willing to do for your own personal/selfish desires(whether it's healing or hurting). Not my style of movie so my re-watch value is slim, I legit only watched it for Gong Yoo and I was NOT disappointed.Was this review helpful to you?
story from everyday life which is often forced to keep as secret.
but the movie..you have to watch it as a classic with understanding of the emotions not the scenes..
i decided to watch this just for gong yoo and but ended up realizing common problem in human souls which is buried under the responsibilities of families..
Acting-
simply it was brilliant..cuz both of them were able to portray the real pain you face in such situations..if i just appreciate gong you that would be unfair..
Music-
it was ok..not much noticeable but blended with the situations..but they were not able to make my heart ache..that job was also done by the cast..
Re watch Value-
i dont re-watch anything..
Overall-
Classic..but only for the people who has open and understandable mind..i have to admit that its not for the people who are looking for fairy tales..
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The Reality of an Affair
I commend the director for his ability to convey the deep intimacy this movie shares with his audience. It isn't just our MLs who have an affair. The affair is also with the viewer. They make us feel a part of this relationship and the performances, especially Yoo Gong's, are so well executed that you are placed right in the midst of their relationship. You feel the angst, the butterflies, the excitement and the passion. You want to root for them, but you know you shouldn't because to root for them is to cause pain to those innocent. So the inevitable must occur, and with it its own horrible pain.The music was passionate and beautiful, representative of the intense feelings of the characters. The snowy landscapes were lovely, cold as it was. It gave quite a contrast to the heat created by our two lovers. They seemed their best selves when they were together, but love affairs are subject to their reality, which is what our director delivers.
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Real and Raw
I do not like movies dealing with infidelity. I still don’t. But if you’re looking for a movie dealing with this subject I highly recommend this one. It is as real as it gets. There is no romanticizing here. It is what it is and there are heavy consequences. I felt the ending was superb. The acting was outstanding. Put in the hands of less accomplished actors this would have come off as just another tawdry drama. I know some might feel different but I believe true love involves personal sacrifice . When you make a decision it’s not just about you alone . That’s what impressed me about this film. It is titled A Man and a Woman but I think it’s about so much more. I did not give it a 10 because it is not one I would watch again. Once was enough for me.Was this review helpful to you?
Would I rewatch it? No, but that being said, I don't usually rewatch stuff so my bar for rewatches is quite high. But it's a really good movie if you want to spend two hours watching beautiful cinematography and intensely emotional love (making) scenes. ;>
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The symbolism in all the scenery, setting was heavy. But the heart of the story was in the acting. Gong Yoo’s performance brought all the intensity and vulnerability required. His character is a stuck soul that’s longing for love and intimacy. And he’s struggling to let it go, as shown through his persistence throughout the film, but eventually, regretfully. acquiescence to his situation, and lets Jeon Do-yeon’s go in a heartbreaking finish to the film. Jeon Do-yeon’s acting was so subtle and on-point, bringing everything she needed to the character and making the best out of the story on display.
A super well rounded movie that was both heart-warming and pitiful at the same time.
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