Oechul

Take IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE but have the protagonists meet when their spouses are in a serious car crash, don't be so bloody obtuse about the whole thing, and you're on way to making APRIL SNOW. Writer/director Hur Jin-Ho is certainly not a cheerful chap, with his trilogy of seasonally-named films each taking a depressing scenario and quietly exploring the characters' pain... yet somehow his films don't end up actually being depressing. The situation could easily lend itself to melodrama (and the soundtrack seems like it wants to go there), but the characters and emotions feel too real and natural.

Although the plot of the film is essentially very predictable, it's all about the details... the unassuming direction places the actors in the spotlight - a light that pierces right into the characters, and requires superb performances from the cast. Luckily Bae Yong-Joon and the gorgeous Son Ye-Jin are capable of delivering exactly that.

Very well crafted and enjoyable, though not so innovative as ONE FINE SPRING DAY.

This film's presence is simple but effective: After hearing that two people, a man and a woman, were involved in a very serious car accident, their respective spouses rush to the hospital. They find out that these two people were having an affair. Since they had to stay in a hotel while their spouses remain in comas, they see each other all the time and eventually begin having their own affair. The good thing about this film is how director Jin-ho Hur makes this not only believable a premise but also makes it seem completely natural. However, he needed good actresses to make his vision work and he found them: Yong-joon Bae plays the husband of the crash victim and the quite pretty (actually, both are good looking)Ye-jin Son the wife. Both take this necessarily slow moving film to a very dangerous but somehow natural place. The film has a refreshing subtlety, and the film is shot beautifully, great cinematography. While not a great film, it certainly conveys the themes of sadness, betrayal and eventually lust quite well. I would recommend this, it kept my interest throughout.

"April Snow" is only the fourth Korean film I have seen and it has transformed my budding interest in that country's cinema to outright obsession. The simplicity and intimacy of the camera work piqued my interest and the two leads -- the movie's only significant characters -- held me there. Ye-jin Son and Yong-jun Bae moved me effortlessly from one emotional swell to another as they found solace, revenge and perhaps more? -- in each other. The question of how they can care for their adulterous comatose spouses falls quickly away as they silently wonder if, through this tragedy and betrayal, they might have found something wonderful.

Sad, lovely and surprisingly sensual, I highly recommend "April Snow" to those who have the slightest interest/curiosity in Asian cinema.

South Korean director Hur Jin Ho is unique. At a time when most of the Korean directors are making more or less violent, thriller films,he has decided to follow his own path. This can make viewers aware that as a filmmaker he likes to do something different. That is why he likes to make romantic films. This is fine as 2 of his previous films "Christmas in August", "One fine spring day" have been very soft,lovely,a bit melodramatic and pure romantic films. This is also the case of "April Snow". It is a film which would immensely appeal to both boys as well as girls.Yeah, it would captivate married people too.The film is a pure reflection on what love is. Of course, love experienced under normal circumstances is good. However any kind of love experienced under pain,bitterness, trouble or hardship is the truest,everlasting love and is pure in all its form. This is the main premise of this film. For those who have seen "In the mood for love" by Wong Kar Wai there is something in store. What it is ? Just go and watch this film.

There was another Hollywood movie by Harrison Ford, forgot the title, same synopsis, husband (Ford) wife in horrific accident and she was cheating on him with the other man, also injured. He also got close to the man's wife.

The K version gets up close and personal with the respective wife and husband. Btw the characters are so good looking, they cheating couple must be out of their minds. As K movies tend to be, this is slow and agonizing, with long pauses. Had to deduct two points for this. Sometimes they even show an empty long corridor for whatever reason best known to the Director.

Good acting by the two main actors. The ending was inevitable. For die hard romantics maybe a stab in the heart?