🎬 #113 Lee's Family and Joon-Ho's Mum.
This week we look at the intricate storytelling and masterful direction of two films that, while different in setting and narrative, share a strange look at familial dynamics and have strong societal commentary. Both films push the boundaries of emotional depth, and forge stories filled with atmosphere and mood.
Happy choosing, happy viewing
Bry
FILM ONE: MOTHER
2009 Dir Bong Joon-Ho
[2hr 9 mins]
Before captivating global audiences with "Parasite," Bong Joon-Ho directed "Mother," a gripping tale of a devoted mother’s quest to clear her son’s name from a murder accusation. This South Korean masterpiece is a deep dive into the lengths a mother will go to protect her child, blending elements of mystery, drama, and dark comedy to create a unique story. One that only South Korean filmmakers can seemingly conjure up. Fearlessly mixing elements other filmmakers would find tonally off in the same story.
With a standout performance by Kim Hye-Ja, the film navigates the complexities of maternal love, societal judgment, and the pursuit of truth. Bong’s direction is impeccable, employing his signature mix of suspense and emotional depth to keep the audience hooked in from the first second to the last. If you want a treat check out some of his early short films, even there you see his style emerging - as well as his tight grip on the medium, a new distinctive voice emerging. "Mother" is not just a crime thriller; it’s an exploration of the animal side of being human, how much love and violence we are capable off when a member of our own tribe is threatened. It’s the boundless bond between a mother and her son.
TL;DR Mother is an exhilarating watch - a crime thriller wrapped in a mother’s love.
*Available for a small rental fee on Amazon and Apple in the US and the UK.
Fact: Bong Joon-ho first started working on the idea in 2004 and met the lead actress regularly to make sure that he was developing the screenplay to showcase her strengths.
FILM TWO: THE ICE STORM
1997 Dir Ang Lee
[1hr 52 mins]
I remember catching this on TV when I was a young teenager [because I had a huge crush on Christina Ricci] and it always stayed with me. Back then I thought, oh this is what a film can do - it can be slight, but showcase so much emotion without actually telling too much of a story. It’s a gorgeous, dark and sad film. About people losing connections with their loved ones and trying to fill in the gaps by creating others. It’s one of my favourites from Ang Lee.
The film sets its scene in the 1970s, encapsulating the decay of a suburban American family disintegrating under the weight of their own secrets and lies. As a Thanksgiving ice storm approaches, the Hood family and their neighbours find their lives intersecting in unexpected and, at times, catastrophic ways. Kevin Kline, Joan Allen, Sigourney Weaver, and a young Tobey Maguire deliver performances that are excellent - bringing to life these detailed characters with subtlety. Bringing to life the complex emotions of individuals struggling with their desires and societal expectations, downplaying it all, sweeping it under the rug. The irony being that the design of the family’s house renders its inner workings totally viewable from the outside - through panoramic glass windows. Their home is transparent but they’d never let each other in as a family. That’s where the tragedy lies.
The film's brilliance is Lee’s delicate handling of its characters and their interactions, mirroring the ice storm’s capacity to reveal the fragile nature of their relationships. It’s a visually stunning piece, with the storm providing a mesmerising backdrop to the drama. "The Ice Storm" is a compelling study of the coldness that can exist within human connections, masterfully captured by Lee’s nuanced direction.
I’d never think of it as one of my favourite films but actually it’s right up there. I’m glad I caught it on late night TV back then, it changed the way I think about film and the stories you can tell - it doesn’t take much action to create a devastating film.
TL;DR Lee’s family drama encapsulates the mess of emotions that make us all human and makes us realise that we can all endure the storm.
*Available for a small rental fee on Apple, Amazon, Google and YouTube in the US
but not in the UK unfortunately, but that’s where a VPN will come in handy.
Fact: Director Brian De Palma is said to be a huge admirer of the film.