A Normal Family

Amidst the vast ocean of streaming "content" and "popcorn" movies, this gem of a primal "human drama" from Korea manages to stand out and stir my emotions.

I feel emotionally invested in all the characters, their reactions and dilemmas. "A Normal Family" may start slow and unveils its story at its own pace. And unlike "Anatomy Of A Fall", there's no burning question to hook and hold it viewers captive throughout. But it's one of the rare films that manages to make me put myself in every character's shoes, mind and brain - wondering what to do next and feeling the anguish.

Despite the fact that the original source material (The Dinner by Dutch novelist Herman Koch) revolves only around dinners, this film adaptation expands the story brilliantly and embed itself with powerful cultural nuances from beginning to end.

The direction is confident and the cast is all top-notch, portraying all the characters with palpable depth and convincing emotional development throughout the film.

There are two twists in the final moments of this cinematic gem of 2024. The first shook me. But I saw the second one coming. It didn't diminish the power of this film though. I'm so glad to have watched this film and so thankful to all involved in making it.

This film makes me renews my faith in cinema and its immense role in not just entertaining us but illuminating issues we should pay more attention to.

I like how the narrative explores lives of two brothers, each with a distinct perspective on life and livelihood.

Although they share the same mother and were raised in the same household, their ethical frameworks contradict each other sharply.

However, when an unexpected incident involving their children threatens to disrupt the family's reputation & unity, both of their moral beliefs are put to the test.

This leads to heated discussions and thereby escalate tensions, as they try to grapple with their inner conflict between protecting their family and standing up for what is ethically correct.

The film effectively captures this particular dynamic, but it lacks the sophistication and emotional depth that such complex stories demand in order to leave a mark and resonate with the audience.

I wish the writing or rather the execution of it all packed more punch.

Director Hur Jin Ho takes inspiration from Dutch writer's Norman Koch's bestseller "The Dinner" and constructs a very interesting film immersed in Korean culture but very universal in scope. He uses the essential elements of the book's plot but streamlines it to make it more meaningful, more powerful. (It is not often that a film takes the plot of a book and makes it better in its screen version.)

Without sermonizing or taking sides, the films ask questions about society, justice, morality, parenthood, values, beliefs, entitlement . By testing the moral strengths of the protagonists, the film makes the audience question their own mettle in limit situations.

The imagery is strong enough, but not overwhelming to allow the viewers the personal space to make their own opinions. So is the acting - convincing, without going overboard.

After Parasite, I think this is another homerun of the Korean cinema. I would strongly recommend it for viewing in film clubs in universities - our young generation need to see it.

If there's no immediate danger could you live with yourself knowing? And with the slow realization that you've been raising a psychopath?

Money is everything. This is South Korea. Class, money and status. But really money grants you everything. How much could you step on your own conscience for the sake of money or saving face? It's another of those movies dealing with how morally corrupt Korea has become, but very entrenched in reality and showing people that are already well-off and relatively fortunate as opposed to most. But of course that doesn't necessarily make life easy and wealth and entitlement tend to screw up children growing up privileged.

Quite a departure for director Hur Jin-ho, I have seen a fair share of his movies and they focus more on the emotional and romantic, but this is a very good story with excellent actors all around. They all give me the chills and sometimes have my sympathy. Let's just say it's complicated and the final twist really blew me away.

A K-drama that examines if being on your kid's side sometimes means realizing they need punishment, even if it's likely that it would be severe. I loved the setup to this and how it was prefaced/mirrored in a shocking road rage incident. I also liked how the characters of the four parents evolved over the film, and how emotionally tense it got.

Initially we have the good doctor who saves lives even if patients don't have insurance, and his middle-aged wife who doesn't put on airs despite their wealth. He wants his son to be a man of value even if he doesn't get into a great college. They're contrasted by his brother, a lawyer who doesn't seem to have conscience about defending people who have no remorse over killing, and his much younger second wife who is very conscious of her appearance. They spoil their daughter rotten and spend lavish sums of money on fine wine and gourmet restaurants.

When their own kids commit a violent assault on a homeless man, it seems like we know how each of these people is going to act, but we don't. We soon see different sides to them as they wrestle with love for their kids vs doing the right thing. Unfortunately this strength became a weakness when it was taken just a little too far. I just couldn't buy the evolution for the doctor in the final act, which seemed unlikely given what had come before it.

Still worth seeing, as it touches on internet culture and bullying as things that erode basic humanity, as well as how wealth and the power it brings corrupts, especially if one is handed everything in life.