| Language: Korean Director: Chang-ho Cho Running time: 108 min Release year: 2005 |
| Cast: On Ju-Wan, Kim Ho-Jung, Ok Ji-Young, Park Min-Ji, Cho Sung-Ha, Seo Jun-Yeong, Son Hee-Seon |
Movie Review:
If you walked blindly into a screening of “The Peter Pan Formula” you could very well guess that you’re watching a new Ki-Duk Kim film - from visual composition to unpredictable narrative style to symbolic images galore to even the occasional shocking moments – all the trademarks of Mr. Kim are there. Yet that guess would be wrong as the “The Peter Pan Formula” was helmed by first time film director, Chang-ho Cho. But you would still get brownie points as Chang-ho Cho worked under Ki-Duk Kim for several of his films which explains the similarities.
peterpanmain.jpg“The Peter Pan Formula” in its most simplest state is a coming of age (or regressing of age) story concerning a high school teenager dealing with a multitude of issues. Hansoo (played impressively by Ju-wan On from The Agressives & Flying Boys) quits his high school swimming team out of frustration and then learns that his mother is in a comatose state from a failed suicide attempt. This results in Hansoo having the unwanted responsibility of parental authority over his unconscious mother and her large financial debts. Complicating matters even more, Hansoo is experiencing a sudden sexual awakening of sorts and frequently fantasizes (and more) about various ladies in his life. One such lady would be an older next-door neighbor who just might have similar feelings for Hansoo. |
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At its core “The Peter Pan Formula” deals with a young man’s underdeveloped psychological state as he is suddenly placed into the onerous position of adulthood. The more compelling aspects of the film would have been the moments directly focused on the young man’s relationship with his next door neighbor and the trials and tribulations he encountered while paying off the debts for his comatose mother. In particular, the scenes where Hansoo robbed the convenience stores or was pushed to the edge by unruly bill collectors and the unscrupulous employer were moments when the film seemed to be clicking on all cylinders. The faults of the film could be found in the film’s attempt to throw too much into the second half of the film. In particular the introduction of the neighbor’s daughter, Min Ji, felt unnecessary as her appearance provided nothing more than a temporary diversion. The second half’s more dramatic moments were also filled with an arty excess that I found unappealing.
There were also plenty of symbolic imagery placed into the film, none being more apparent than the lighthouse that was a fixture in the opening and final scene. The importance of that lighthouse was open ended, but with the film’s final moments showing Hansoo’s behavior more regressive it seemed that the lighthouse was a symbolic image for maternal love rather than a general state of happiness. Interesting to note that a scene in the second half of the film showed the lighthouse situated in a empty area, barricaded all around, with signs warning trespassers to stay away.
In retrospect, “The Peter Pan Formula” was a gripping and at times even shocking film that offered a lot for the viewer to chew on. The more disturbing scenes in the film will reverberate with the audience in different ways depending on their own personal acumen. While all these aspects made “The Peter Pan Formula” a heady film to watch, the second half did throw too much into the mix lessening its overall impact. This one will leave you with something to talk about. |
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{ Recommended Korean Movies } |
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Director: Yu-jin Kim; Cast: Jae-yeong Jeong, Eun-jeong Han, Jun-ho Heo, Sung-kee Ahn, Geon-sik Bae, Li-seong Do, Seong-mo Jeong |
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Lady Vengeance (Chinjeolhan Geumjassi) |
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Secret sunshine (Milyang) |
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Director: Lee Chang-Dong; Cast: Jeon Do-Yeon, Song Kang-Ho, Seon Jeong-Yeop |
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My dear enemy (Meotjin haru) |
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Director: Yoon-ki Lee; Cast: Jeon Do-Yeon, Ha Jung-Woo, Hye-ok Kim, Oh Ji-Eun |
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The host (Gwoemul) |
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Director: Joon-ho Bong; Cast: Kang-ho Song, Hie-bong Byeon, Hae-il Park, Doona Bae |
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The good, the bad, the weird (Joheunnom nabbeunnom isanghannom) |
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Director: Ji-woon Kim; Cast: Kang-ho Song, Byung-hun Lee, Woo-sung Jung |
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