(2003) ***1/2
A couple who cannot have children adopt a boy. The boy, Jin-seong becomes obsessed with the dying acacia tree in the yard. He seems to believe that after his birth mother died she became a tree. Mi-sook, Jin-seong's adoptive mother becomes pregnant. Mi-sook's mother has never accepted Jin-seong and now that her daughter is having her own baby she bids her to send Jin-seong back to the orphanage. The boy overhears the old woman and starts acting out.
After the baby is born it becomes apparent that Jin-seong cannot be trusted alone with the baby. He argues with his mother and rides off on his bike. When the boy doesn't return home tensions rise in the household leading to an intense conclusion.
A nice solid film. The boy reminds me of a little Asian version of Haley Joel Osment, he's cute but has a seriousness about him. It's not the typical evil orphan story. There's nothing wrong with the boy and his reactions to the grandmother's words are quite normal. The grandmother is a bitch and I just wanted to slap her throughout the whole film. Although I didn't mention it above, there are some supernatural occurrences that take place. Nothing overly outrageous and it's all good. A story that should appeal to most everyone and again a solid movie.
4 comments:
You've seen a lot of J-horror flicks this year. What's your favorite thus far?
Of the one's I've watched this year Acacia is the best. But for you JSP you must see Jigoku, I watched it last year my review is here
They should have taken the kid out of town and while he was away have someone chop down the tree and make a bed out of it for him. That would settle everything nicely.
Watch out for Korean grandmothers. I had a Korean friend who told me her grandmother would come visit her as a child and then leave with whatever pet my friend had at the time, grannny having convinced my friend's mom it was the right thing to do.
If that isn't childhood trauma I don't know what is.
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