Always Smile

Usually, when I watch new movies-especially those by directors or actors I'm unfamiliar with-I prefer to go in blind, without knowing anything about the film in advance. Only after watching, I read comments or reviews.

Honestly, as someone who knows a thing or two about cinema, after finishing this one, I was almost certain it was a student project-perhaps a low-budget thesis film that didn't quite succeed. I was genuinely surprised to find out that some of the people involved are actually professionals.

To put it briefly, this is a film with a storyline that feels like it was written by AI. The acting is dreadful, bordering on parody-at times I even wondered if they were doing it on purpose, maybe trying to mimic Monty Python or some kind of spoof. The direction is a complete mess, and the storytelling is riddled with so many simple and mid-level mistakes that listing them all would be impossible. And I will never ever forget the very last scene, with act-based end cards listing some real-life statistics, although the movie in most of its parts has nothing to do with that. What a mess!

In the end, if you ask me whether this film is worth watching, my answer would be: yes-but only if you have two spare hours and want to see how a movie can go wrong. Personally, I will use this film as a teaching tool. My students will have to watch it and then write an essay identifying what could be improved-from the easiest fixes to the more complex issues.

"Always Smile" is a poignant, emotional journey about what it means to love your family and to always put their interests first above your own. It's also a movie about never folding your hand, no matter the cards that you've been dealt in life. It teaches a lesson about compassion and the duality of man, be too hasty to judge the actions of others as immoral or outright wrong and you migh havet misunderstood their lot in life, the circumstances that led them there.

The film was quite straight and narrow in its directing and cinematography, no fancy cuts, gimmicks or transitions, though in a movie where it's all about the story, such tricks are simply not needed. Strong script was more than enough to hold the viewers interest through the end. And I gotta add how I liked the progression of it. What I mean is, how there might be a scene that initially feels a little bit off and you as an audience member think the movie just took a weird turn, but it eventually finds its place, you'll look back on the scene and see its logic or a reason. There were few of those in the script and I won't be detailing them further in order to not spoil anything.

Performances in a low-budget film are often quite varied, I feel that was the case here as well, though with that said, I'd like to commend Jason Park for a job well done playing Alex. It seemed to me like Park (Also the director&writer of the film) really believed in the strength of his own script and the story he had to tell and it showed. Truly a spirited performance played with heart&conviction. Min Keom Kim as the little brother Johnny plays well off the elder's protective nature, being appreciative, if not a bit confused and naive about the learning tree, he's sitting under of. The chemistry between them works, it's not difficult to see real-life siblings having such a dynamic.

There's also social commentary in the film about the world we live in, how dark, selfish and cruel it is sometimes and how unfortunate some of our destinies might end up becoming. We might not be able to influence our paths as strongly as we might like in life, but the important thing is to keep going forward and always smile!

Loved this little gem of a movie!

Ontrary to popular belief, Lorem Ipsum is not simply random text. It has roots in a piece of classical Latin literature from 45 BC, making it over 2000 years old. Richard McClintock, a Latin professor at Hampden-Sydney College in Virginia, looked up one of the more obscure Latin words, consectetur, from a Lorem Ipsum passage, and going through the cites of the word in classical literature, discovered the undoubtable source. Lorem Ipsum comes from sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 of "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" (The Extremes of Good and Evil) by Cicero, written in 45 BC. This book is a treatise on the theory of ethics, very popular during the Renaissance. The first line of Lorem Ipsum, "Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet..", comes from a line in section 1.10.32.

The standard chunk of Lorem Ipsum used since the 1500s is reproduced below for those interested. Sections 1.10.32 and 1.10.33 from "de Finibus Bonorum et Malorum" by Cicero are also reproduced in their exact original form, accompanied by English versions from the 1914 translation by H. Rackham.

From the very first scene, Always Smile grabbed my heart, and never let go. I didn't just watch this film I felt it. It has such a beautiful music score. As a woman, this movie hit in all the emotional places. It's honest, breathtaking, and quietly powerful in a way that left me crying, smiling, and whispering, "Yes... I've been there too." The movie is simple and beautiful.

At its core, Always Smile is about resilience. Not the loud, showy kind but the quiet kind we, as women, know all too well. The kind that keeps going after heartbreak. The kind that finds beauty in chaos. The kind that smiles even when the world expects you to fall apart in the worst circumstances.

The lead actors? Phenomenal. Every flicker of emotion across their face felt like a quiet warming experience. You celebrate with them. I swear, they had me crying in my living room.

And can we talk about the visuals? Every shot is filled with soft light and rich colors-like watching someone turn pain into art. The soundtrack is a mix of aching piano and hopeful strings, and it wraps around you like a cozy blanket on a rainy day.

But what truly makes Always Smile unforgettable is its message: Through the pain you must always smile.

Always Smile isn't just a movie it's a reminder of what it feels like to love your siblings.

Rarely does a film come along that doesn't just entertain, but reaches into your chest, wraps itself around your heart, and refuses to let go. Always Smile is one of those rare gems. It's not just a movie it's a feeling. A burst of warmth. A hug when you didn't know you needed one.

From the first frame, Always Smile captures your attention with its city backdrop and the opposing lives on display, vibrant colors, and emotionally layered soundtrack. But it's the story that truly shines. It follows the journey of a soul navigating grief, love, and rediscovery with such raw honesty that at times you forget you're watching a fictional character and not your own reflection.

The performances are absolutely magnetic. The lead actors Min Keon Kim and Jason Park delivers a powerhouse performance that is both subtle and explosive. You see every flicker of emotion in their eyes-the kind of acting that doesn't scream, but whispers straight to your soul. The supporting cast is equally exceptional, creating a rich tapestry of personalities that make you laugh, cry, and in the end, make you think about the little things in life.

What makes Always Smile unforgettable is how beautifully it balances pain and joy. It's not afraid to explore life's shadows but it always guides you back to the light. The film's message is simple yet profound: Joy is an act of resistance. Smiling even when it hurts is strength.

If you've ever lost something, struggled with hope, or simply needed a reminder that life is still beautiful, Always Smile is your movie. It's cinematic therapy colorful, emotional, and deeply human.

Bring tissues. Bring someone you love. And most importantly, don't forget to smile.