I am an American that has lived in Korea a few years. I have not really learned the language but I understand the culture and style of the country. I have seen several movies in the theaters here which means no sub-titles. I prefer it that way no matter what language the movie is in.
That said, I saw this movie a month ago and am still impressed by it. It's the story of women criminals doing time for their crimes. The 3 main characters are in for murder. These I know for sure because their stories are presented in flash-backs. The 2 younger ones killed in self-defense, really, but the 'grandmother' of the title was a little more cold blooded. One of the women delivers her baby while in prison--this is the opening scene. She is allowed to keep the baby until after his 1st birthday, then she must give him up. The major part of the movie focuses on the mother organizing a prison choir. Yes, this part reminded me pretty strongly of SISTER ACT. The choir, of course, helps the inmates to work through their differences and bond, to a point. The grandmother becomes the choir director. Also, the main character who loves music but is tone-deaf--whenever she tries to sing a lullaby to her baby, he cries hysterically--learns to sing, coached by the inmate that had previously caused the most problems. After the child is separated from his mother, she pushes for the choir to be able to perform outside the prison in hope of being able to see her son one more time.
HARMONY is the perfect title for this movie because the word is Korean for grandmother as well as having the English meaning that coincides with the choral storyline. The movie was incredibly touching even though it does not seem overly grounded in reality. Some of the things the prisoners are allowed to do did not seem plausible to this foreigner. However, if you suspend your disbelief and enter the world constructed by this film, it is very rewarding in a very tearful, touching way. Although the film is filled with clichés, I was happy to see that most of the women-in-chains clichés seen in American movies are absent. The movie worked for me because I could believe the motivations and actions of the main characters. I was frequently surprised by the scenes captured on film involving the little boy. Some of those images were just priceless.
So, if you are into touching movies and are not afraid to cry, check this one out . . . if it ever wanders into a theater in your country.
