FreeWhirpool
Earth
I'm incapable of giving this movie anything less than a 9, but even if I were less sentimental and nostalgic, this would still be a solid 8 for even the harsher movie critics. I myself was part of a group, or as teenagers nowadays call it, 'squad'. Hell, we even had a name that everyone recognised us by. This movie was a great reminder of the bond I had with the three other girls in our group, which prompted me to call them and simply catch up on life. I'll definitely be doing that more often from now on.
Story: To be very honest, it's nothing special. You've probably seen similar stories in many, many East Asian dramas and movies. The execution, too, was typical for your average Asian nostalgia movie. But you already knew that, and that's the beauty of these stories. They are timeless classics, and combined with the sharp writing of this one, it makes a great movie. I could make a movie 20 years from now with the same damn story, but it would still be extremely relatable.
Acting/Cast: Wonderful. All of the characters shined in their own way, bringing their characters to life. I can't find one character, even the side ones, that did a half-hearted job. I'm not a huge fan of Kang So Ra, but I think she really did her character, Ha Chun Hwa, justice here. The adult characters were an absolute delight; I LOVED the camaraderie they had even after 25 years of separation, like they had just parted ways yesterday. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Music: The music is from the 80s, which I personally think was a great time for music everywhere in the world. The music selection of the movie was masterfully done, showcasing truly some of the best songs from the era. Song placements were incredible, too- like when the two gangs were fighting with each other in the midst of the protestors and the police, the music in the background was HILARIOUS! The titular song, Sunny, was as emotional as it was heartbreaking, elevating the emotion in the movie. I can listen to it over and over again.
Rewatch value: This was a purely personal take. Since I relate so much to the movie, it is always going to be a comfort watch for me. I WILL cry everytime something sad happens (especially during the last few scenes) and I WILL laugh everytime something funny happens (like, say, whenever the grandmother comes on screen). Hence, the high rating.
Overall: Even if you have only one friend, I would watch this movie. The takeaway is something you can always resonate with: life is too short, keep friends close and follow your dreams.
Story: To be very honest, it's nothing special. You've probably seen similar stories in many, many East Asian dramas and movies. The execution, too, was typical for your average Asian nostalgia movie. But you already knew that, and that's the beauty of these stories. They are timeless classics, and combined with the sharp writing of this one, it makes a great movie. I could make a movie 20 years from now with the same damn story, but it would still be extremely relatable.
Acting/Cast: Wonderful. All of the characters shined in their own way, bringing their characters to life. I can't find one character, even the side ones, that did a half-hearted job. I'm not a huge fan of Kang So Ra, but I think she really did her character, Ha Chun Hwa, justice here. The adult characters were an absolute delight; I LOVED the camaraderie they had even after 25 years of separation, like they had just parted ways yesterday. Wonderful, wonderful, wonderful.
Music: The music is from the 80s, which I personally think was a great time for music everywhere in the world. The music selection of the movie was masterfully done, showcasing truly some of the best songs from the era. Song placements were incredible, too- like when the two gangs were fighting with each other in the midst of the protestors and the police, the music in the background was HILARIOUS! The titular song, Sunny, was as emotional as it was heartbreaking, elevating the emotion in the movie. I can listen to it over and over again.
Rewatch value: This was a purely personal take. Since I relate so much to the movie, it is always going to be a comfort watch for me. I WILL cry everytime something sad happens (especially during the last few scenes) and I WILL laugh everytime something funny happens (like, say, whenever the grandmother comes on screen). Hence, the high rating.
Overall: Even if you have only one friend, I would watch this movie. The takeaway is something you can always resonate with: life is too short, keep friends close and follow your dreams.
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