This week, I watched one of this year’s Oscar contenders, and it was easily one of the most intimate and romantic movies I’ve seen in a long time. It hit all of the right notes for this romance fan, including SO many charged moments, lingering glances, and angst that genuinely got to me. I loved the quiet, messy romance at the heart of it, but it’s also just an exceptional, engaging story. These childhood friends were separated when one immigrated to the US, and reconnecting as adults stirs up some complicated feelings. If you want to know if it meets the definition of a romance (HEA required), then check out my spoiler at the bottom of this review. Otherwise, I wholeheartedly recommend going in blind. I was at the edge of my seat, wondering if they’d find their way together at the end, and I was hooked whether that happened or not.
Fair warning – at least 75% of it is in Korean, with subtitles. The rest is in English. You’ll want to give this one your full focus.
The story follows two childhood friends who were very close as kids and pre-teens growing up in South Korea. They were at an age where their relationship was just starting to shift in a new direction when the heroine’s family immigrated to the United States. The two lose contact for over a decade before reuniting online, and getting to know each other as adults changes the dynamics between them. That connection makes them wonder what they can be – or could’ve been – to each other.
If I was describing this as a romance/women’s fiction novel, I’d call it a childhood friends to lovers, he falls first/boy obsessed, second chance love story. There’s also a love triangle and some emotional cheating, fair warning. Interestingly enough, I would hate some of these components in a full-length romance novel, but I am much more accepting of them in a 2-hour movie, lol. Maybe because I don’t have to linger in those messy feelings for nearly as long. In this situation, I loved the evolution of their relationship throughout the years, and the actors portray the complexities very, very well. You can feel the intimacy bleeding from every scene, even when they’re physically distant or not speaking. I loved the stolen glances and quiet moments of connection, and the concept is certainly an interesting one. It put me through my paces emotionally, and I’d love to see it win some Oscars. Well worth a watch!
Blurb:
Two childhood sweethearts, after decades apart, are reunited for one fateful week in New York as they confront notions of destiny, love, and the choices that make a life in this heartrending modern romance.
Where to Watch:
It’s available on Bluray/DVD or you can rent/buy from Amazon Prime Video at: https://amzn.to/3RHx67C
Want more movie reviews?
Let me know in the comments! I’ve also reviewed a few other solid movies this year.
Rye Lane
Two youngsters reeling from bad breakups who connect over an eventful day in South-London.
Read the movie review here
Streaming on Hulu!
Red, White & Royal Blue
Based on the New York Times bestseller, Red, White & Royal Blue centers around Alex, the president’s son, and Britain’s Prince Henry whose long-running feud threatens to drive a wedge in U.S./British relations. When the rivals are forced into a staged truce, their icy relationship begins to thaw and the friction between them sparks something deeper than they ever expected.
Read the movie review here
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video: https://amzn.to/45ohL14
Puppy Love
After a disastrous first date, wild-child Nicole and socially-anxious Max vow to lose each other’s numbers until they learn that their dogs found a love match, and now puppies are on the way! The hilariously mismatched Nicole and Max are forced to become responsible co-parents, but may end up finding love themselves. Starring Lucy Hale and Grant Gustin.
Read the movie review here
Watch it on Amazon Prime Video/Freevee: https://amzn.to/3tzE0DG
SPOILERS BELOW
Romance lovers, do you want to know if this ends with a HEA? The answer is no.
More detailed spoiler:
While the movie is very intimate and romantic and wholeheartedly focused on the evolution of their relationship, they do not end up together. They acknowledge that they almost certainly would’ve been something special if their lives had played out differently, and the angst of that hurt. I still very much enjoyed the romantic aspect, but this would be considered women’s fiction (not romance) if it were in book form. Personally, I like to think that they found their way back together after another 12 years, and the door is certainly open to something like that. Who knows!
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Jeeves Reads Romance 