Haebaragi

The DVD cover & description are kind of misleading. Still, I was quickly drawn into the story & characters. Excellent script. The acting was first-rate! The direction too! I'm torn between giving it 8 or 9 stars. The ending was good but not exactly what I personally wanted. The main characters (you'll love) were very thought out with each one's individual story played alongside the main story & plot. You think you know them when something new is exposed. Few Hollywood films lately put this much thought into a script. The actors in the main characters give performances that deserved recognition. Some of the supporting actors were very good, a few not so much therefore no 10th star :( Its more a drama than an action film. But one of the best dramas.

I was completely taken aback after watching this extraordinary film in its genre. Expecting a gritty gangster movie with cold-blooded action sequences, I instead found myself immersed in a deeply emotional and powerful drama.

Sunflower follows the story of Tae-shik, a former gangster released on parole who seeks to live a normal life with a woman he calls the "sunflower lady" and her daughter. However, his journey is far from smooth, as he faces numerous challenges that test his resolve.

The script and screenplay were exceptional, and the execution was top-notch. Though the film moves at a slower pace, it remains deeply engaging, holding the viewer's attention throughout. Sunflower is a compelling mix of emotions, and by the end, it delivers a well-choreographed action sequence that adds to its impact.

Rae-won Kim gives an outstanding performance as Tae-shik, while the mother and daughter deliver equally impressive portrayals. The villain, though not particularly memorable, does a decent job.

An emotional drama with a touch of action.

My rating: 7.9/10.

Tae-sik, who cleansed up the neighborhood back alley with his bare knuckle after dropping out of high school, is released on parole.

The once sacrificial sheep of Tae-sik's friend Min-seok has become a detective and Tae-sik's henchmen friends have turned on each other's back.

As if have forgotten the old days he shared with them, Tae-sik only does what he wishes to do, which was written down on his crumpling small scrapbook.

Tae-sik finds a warm shelter in the small neighborhood food joint 'Sunflower'.

Tae-sik tries to live a quiet new life with the lady who runs the restaurant and her daughter, Hee-ju.

from the second half onwards the movie becomes more and more melodramatic and bursts of violence is thrown in every now and then.

A little bit more common sense would have been desirable.

"Haebaragi, Sunflower" can't evoke the tears that it was actually expected to deliver.

This movie is very lackluster compared to the rest of Korean cinema, it is very typical and fits a little too much with a Hollywood title. I'd recommend better movies about gangster's such as New World and Inside Men. I was hoping for more from this movie but it delivered an extremely underwhelming and predictable experience.

I think this film is under rated.

As somebody who has done time in Asia and come out, i get the level of acting the lead role diplays. His body language is classic ex con.

Even the early fight scenes show blocking skills but no retalliation in a way hat took intelligent study. Or an actor that got into his role. Admitedly the daughter role iscast a bit shallow but that not acting error thats direction or script re writes I guess.

Its not subtle but neither was Will Shakespeare.

This film is up with Breath and Chingoo. One of the best films I have seen in quite a while. coming from somebody who watches way way to many films

Watch and judge for yourself.

Somebody has made the effort to adjust the genre.