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Soshite chichi ni naru (2013)
Wonderful pacing and 3 payoffs worth the wait
The pacing was masterful. The camera knew just how long to hold a shot, and was never in a rush to cut. Yet, so much seemed to be happening. Time seemed to slow, but the storytelling had a brisk rhythm.
The characters had personality and depth. The movie never strayed too far from the theme of family, making each important moment all the more impactful.
There were three massive payoffs, one in each third of the movie. You are awarded for you patience in spades.
## Spoilers
The first payoff comes in the form of light and timing, when shadow falls over the train right when the mother is talking about the father.
When they're camping by the river and Keita asks his father, "Do they love me?... More than you?" And he answers with what he believes to be brutal honesty.
And when the father discovers the photos his son took of him on the camera.
Bonus payout: when the nurse's adolescent son defends her.
These scenes made me weep.
Napoleon Dynamite (2004)
Redeeming Qualities
Napoleon Dynamite is an interesting take on the nerd coming-of-age story. We start off with the typical awkward kid who gets picked on in school, and right off the bat the difference hits you over the head. Napoleon isn't just some kid who happens to be shy and quiet around his peers, he is legitimately awkward. He isn't good looking, he doesn't have knowledge of any esoteric subjects, he doesn't particularly like any girl, and he pretty much has no outward redeeming qualities.
Despite his shortcomings, Napoleon is a supportive friend and puts in the sweat when he puts his mind to it. Two things no one else sees but lead to the one thing that brings his class/grade to their feet in applause. Interestingly, this one thing is still only an outward expression that isn't very different from what makes the popular kids popular.
There are no villains, but there aren't any exceptionally good people either. Nobody's flaws are fixed, but they all find some peace with who they are. Napoleon is still the same old Napoleon plus a few new friends. Nothing is fundamentally changed, yet (almost) everyone seems happier, like a burden has been lifted off their shoulders.
Incidentally, I think the movie captures the two most important lessons for young people (and older people): be a good friend and put in the work.
Geon-chook-hak-gae-ron (2012)
Subtlety Over Dramatics
The feeling of taking action one moment too late. It is clear from reading other's reviews this is something many people experience. You wait, and you worry, and you plan, and you ponder what might be. Only to find some excuse to back out once you actually built up to courage to follow through.
Most Hollywood films would have you believe that if you put yourself out there, you'll earn the respect and love of whoever you happen to be pining over (mostly from the male perspective). Architecture 101 presents what is the reality for most us: we don't know what we're doing.
Like a few others, I was taken aback by the protagonist's inaction when it came to Seo-Yeon being drunk. I attributed it to Korea's drinking culture and the dubious nature of Korean university clubs (circles). But once I took a step back, I realized this fit right in the arc of Seung-Min's character. He doesn't like confrontation and will maintain the status quo.
"Under pressure, you don't rise to the occasion, you sink to the level of your training." -Modern version of a quote by Archilochus
Seung-Min doesn't cut off ties with Seo-Yeon because he feels betrayed, it's because he feels he has betrayed her. He knew the kind of person their sunbae was, but he didn't do anything to stop the situation from happening. You can see the guilt scarring him deeply. He notices Seo-Yeon rejecting the advances of the sunbae, so she isn't a willing participant, but Seung-Min still can't bring himself to do anything.
The sunbae isn't made out to be some sort of monster because he gets women drunk to get in bed with them. He isn't. He is wrapped up in the culture around him, despite knowing what he is doing isn't the most scrupulous. He dodges around the topic and only says enough to sound cool to his underclassmen.
I really appreciate the subtlety the director and writers weaved into the story. There are so many details and motifs that could be missed easily. Ex. The seeds Seo-Yeon planted and kept secret didn't sprout, the same as their relationship; mementos.