svescapekey Review of Secret Sunshine

Secret Sunshine (2007)

Totally unsatisfying, deeply boring film about a tragic story

[5/10 · 1 April 2023]

I disagree with most of the glowing reviews of this movie. I am generally a big fan of Korean movies and series. Most are technically excellent with matching performances. This movie had fine acting, especially from Jeon Do-yeon; the cinematography was variable, certainly not spectacular. But great acting doesn't make for a great movie. This could have passed for a French new wave movie: except for the tragedy, nothing meaningful happens. It is a story about grief and rather superficial religious support by pushy people. The movie is way too long for the story it is telling. There is no resolution, let alone a satisfactory one. To me this was a waste of 2:22 hours.