Way Back Home (2013)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Expected more

Good films always raise compelling questions, whether the format is fiction or documentary fact.

It’s fine. It's literally the definition of a fine movie. You’ve seen it before, you know every beat and outcome before the characters even do. Only question is how much escapism you’re looking for.

Based on past performances, Do-yeon Jeon, who played the lead character is, without a doubt, a very talented artist. But in this film, I felt she overplayed the performance, to the point where watching this felt painfully annoying at times, especially towards the end. Also, there were just too many questionable chronological gaps in this film for me to find it plausible even though it is based on a true story (her daughter, a growing child, maintains the same appearance throughout her mother's absence and return...wtf!). I have to be fair though, maybe my annoyance is a product of a subconscious bias. If this had happened to any other woman from a different cultural background (mainly white, black, or hispanic), I doubt the outcome would have been as sympathetic (lenient). It was as if the film was saying: "Korean people are not into drug smuggling, so the system should go easy on any Korean who gets caught doing such a despicable thing!!"

This is an incredible movie! The story itself it very dark because it is based on true events (and partly fictional). So the story in this movie is unique. But because of the fact that it is based on true events it will emotionally move you. I cried, sat on the tip of my seat, held my breath and I could feel the despair and anger. The cast did an amazing job. It was almost like they were the ones who had been trough this all. Their emotions were acted in an excellent way. The music they had chosen fit every scene. I think everyone should watch this movie. It has suspense, drama, romance and so much more. It is definitely not a waste of your time, please watch this movie!

An instant favorite of mine . "Way Back Home" is not only one of the saddest films I have ever seen , but one of the best films I have ever seen period. Jeon Do Yeon delivers an outstandingly incredible emotional powerhouse performance once again (Before with Secret Sunshine) and deserves an Oscar . The score is breathtakingly beautiful and heartbreaking , the cinematography is personal and brilliantly handled , and the story/screenplay will have you hooked within minutes of the opening title.This is a film that will make you question how such a thing can happen , you will be incredibly frustrated and angry , you will find it hard to watch and you WILL cry ... LOTS .It's a tough and emotionally destroying masterpiece that everyone needs to watch.

The story of a woman who transport drugs into Korea might be a turn off to you at first and you might think that she deserves all she gets, but this film is really gripping and if you have any emotions they will flow out of you through this movie, the acting is excellent by all the actors and as a personal thing I just love Ko Soo and have never seen him act badly, the performance to remember is his wife in this who really grabs at your heart even though technically she is a criminal but she pays dearly for her unwitting crime. This is a stellar movie and surely worth a couple hours of your time. It took me a while to get hold of a copy with English subs but it really was worth the wait. If you don't like this feel free to blame me but realise there must be something wrong with you emotions, 2 hours of my life that I was glad to give.