Yeoja, Jeong-hye

Well maybe this movie wasn't for me? I usually do like romantic comedies, what are usually referred to as 'chic flicks', and I love Asian cinema, particularly movies from Korea, and while I know this movie is referred to as a drama, I thought this would place me in good stead to enjoy this movie. Sadly it didn't. For me, watching this move was like watching grass grow. I got bored. Nothing really happened! I'm not into shoot em ups, not into action movies and usually love nothing more than to sit back and watch a movie about people, their relationships and emotions, but I couldn't help looking around for something else to do while this movie was playing. It just never got me involved or into it.

My Charming Girl inserts the viewer into the life of a rather plain girl with bad skin, ugly hands and feet, a boring job, and mild schizophrenia. The movie is at pains to demonstrate her classic symptoms, complete with flat emotions, apathy, seeing imaginary people, and mild paranoia. Her symptom of increased suggestibility, demonstrated by her reactions to advice about shoes and marriage, provides the context for the climax of the film.

The camera lingers on every shot, creating in the viewer the languid mood of the girl. The cinematography is very good, and there are some visual touches, such as shop names and an image of a leering Colonel Sanders, that accent the film and foreshadow the plot development.

This is the kind of film that makes a good topic for a college essay, but is not particularly enjoyable to watch. However, it does provide a view into everyday life in Korea, which may be of interest.

A director with a great eye for detail creates characters you really get to know and love. The film is carefully shot and very moving. The visual detail is simply amazing. For instance, the scenes that show the main character at work really build up a picture of this particular job. To mention anything at all about the plot would be to spoil it for anyone who hasn't seen it. It's better not to know what to expect in a film like this, especially since it doesn't fit into any of the usual pigeonholes. The script is so well written that each surprise seems quite inevitable when you think back on it. And seeing it a second time, you get to appreciate the amazing photography. The performances are totally convincing. The best film I've seen in ages.

I watched this film at the Korean film festival in Berlin and i simply loved it, such a great detailed view over life of a post office worker , to show how complicated human beings can be , the suspense scenes , like the one with the knife , was really awesome . she also depicted a view over Korean modern big city life .

The existence of her dead mother gave the film a subtle surreal touch , and the minimalist detailed shots were quite amazing also . many people would find this film boring but to me it was one of the greatest Korean films I've ever watched .

a film to watch !!

a synopsis as the narrative is slight, and secondary to Ji-su Kims extraordinary portrayal of a human beings inner space. Within minutes I had completely forgotten I was watching a work of fiction, I know of no other movie that explorers the interior life of its characters so intimately. Shot almost entirely with a hand-held camera, and with a restrained unobtrusive soundtrack, this movie follows Jeong-hye, an introverted post office worker through her day. As the story unfolds, this reserved and seemingly unemotional woman is shown to be a deep and complex personality deserving of our respect. Inspirational film-making of the highest calibre.