Search - Christmas in August on DVD

"People Die And Become Ghosts. It's Only Natural"

Brian E. Erland | Brea, CA - USA | 08/27/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Note: Korean with English subtitles.

Love comes too late for a thirty-something photographer that discovers he is terminally ill with only weeks to live. A lovely meter reader begins to frequent his shop just after he receives the bad news. They fall in love, but never openly express their feelings for each other. He keeps his illness secret from her until the end.

Wow, this Korean film from '98 is one of the most beautiful, bittersweet love stories I have ever seen. I haven't seen anything this sad and romantic since "Somewhere In Time." The only thing that bothers me about this movie is the title. Christmas has nothing to do with anything in this story, it's never even mentioned. Be that as it may the movie is so good I'll forgive this one little discrepency.

Han Suk-Kyu and the beautiful Shim Eun-Ha are magnificent together. If you loved "Comrades, Almost A Love Story" you'll love this one too!"

Amazing

NutMac | Mountain View, CA | 05/11/2006

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Christmas in August marks director Jin-Ho Hur's first feature length film debut, armed with limited budget but top notch actors. His filmmaking style is often compared to great Yasujiro Ozu -- most shots are long with deliberate pacing and rarely moving camera with careful framing that let us observe the action as if we are eavesdropping. Most major events are suggested but not shown. We are left to fill in the blanks using our own experience and thoughts.

The film takes place in early 80's on the outskirts of Seoul, Korea. It is a classic dying boy meets a girl story. Jung-won (Suk-Kyu Han) is in his mid-30's working at a family photoshop, living his remaining days in quiet dignity. When he meets Da-Rim (Eun-Ha Shim), a young parking meter controller, he is compelled to love. Will he allow love to consummate? The answer is not immediately apparent.

Although the subject matter is depressing, the story unfolds in very frank and honest ways. No emotional buttons are pushed. Words are rarely spoken. Yet through amazing performances, we know exactly what each character is thinking and what they want to say. At times, such restraint seems wrong, but eventually leads to something beautiful. Although the final scene is hopeful, it is sad at the same time, particularly as the end credit rolls in (accompanied by an epilogue song sung by the lead character).

Many scenes are as memorable as photographs -- school children arguing over who the most beautiful girl is in their class, old woman posing for her own funeral portrait, lead characters offering ice cream (happens three times and each marks an important milestone). There are amazingly edits, particularly the key "camera timer" scene.

The DVD presents a fine transfer in anamorphic 1.85:1 aspect ratio with Dolby Digital 2.0 stereo sound. Subtitle is serviceable. Director's commentary (Korean with English subtitle) and making of documentary offer a glimpse of production and thoughts."

Beautifull almost to a weeping level

J. H. Infante | Guadalajara, Ja, Mex | 10/08/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I just saw this movie recently and Im not kiding, after you see this movie you may even deny it but thats a fact, the other reviewer have already wrotte a good sinposis i just want to remark the last statement Han Suk-Kyu wrotte to Shim Eun-Ha in the goodbye letter "thanks for allowing me to leave with love in my heart"..........wow!!!!
see this movie
HM"

A present for all

IK | Bainbridge Island, WA USA | 06/27/2008

(5 out of 5 stars)

"This is a quiet, deeply moving film about a photographer slowly dying and has the fortune to meet a parking enforcer (Shim Eun Ha) when she has some film to process. Han Suk Kyu is a master at subtle emotions and Shim Eun Ha is so engaging that this film can be watched over and over. The scene near the end when Han places his hand on the window of a cafe trying to touch Shim outside across the street is hauntingly poignant.

Shim is an early gift for Han just before he's cut down in his youth. A great film executed masterly."