My Little Bride Review

• Overall  9
• Story  9
• Acting/Cast  9
• Music  7
• Rewatch Value  9

Wow, I never expected to like this movie as much as I do. What an awesome, heartwarming little film! At first I had reservations about watching it because let's face it I'm a little too grown to be watching high school movies. Moreover, I felt like I had seen a similar story in the movie Innocent Steps, which I had recently watched, and didn't want to revisit the same plot, enjoyable though it was.

As it turned out, this wasn't your average high school movie at all.
At its core this film is about love, loyalty and growing up. Watching it through a Westerner's eyes a lot of things took me aback (for eg, if I was Boeun's mother I'd never marry her off so soon no matter the circumstances), but upon further reflection I thought what a beautiful selfless act of love for one's family. And ... it was funny to boot!

The lead actress did an amazing job. She was just as sweet and innocent as she was in Innocent Steps, but with a little more feistiness to her character. I totally loved that about her. Her and Sangmin's bickering was so hilarious to watch. They made an awesome couple and I didn't get that creepy cradle robber feeling about their relationship as I got from watching Innocent Steps, a movie which featured the same actress playing a character who is also considerably younger than her male counterpart. (NB: In spite of this Innocent Steps was a great little movie too and this comparison should not deter you from seeing it).

In My Little Bride Sangmin and Boeun had great chemistry. I know I'm always complaining about the lack of believable physicality between characters who are supposed to be intimate with each other (for eg husband and wife) in a lot of South Korean movies, but I have to say I didn't miss it here. Setting aside the age difference, in some cases a film just works without it and this was one of them. Sangmin, Boeun's husband, was adorable in his dedication to her. I trusted that he'd never do anything she wasn't ready for and that the strong bond they'd forged during childhood would hold them together for years to come.

This is getting a high overall score from me not just because of it's re-watchability or even the great performances, but because of its beautiful portrayal of family and taking care of each other. If it's one thing I absolutely love about South Korean films, and the South Korean culture as a whole, it's this.

Highly, highly recommended! report I found this review Helpful Not Helpful