Synopsis
The story begins on a fine summers morning, when San-woo and his mother board a bus to the country. It is soon clear that the unsophisticated rural passengers annoy the seven-year-old urban boy. His mother is taking him to live with his 78-year-old mute, but not deaf, grandmother while she looks for a new job after a business venture failed in Seoul.
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Cast
- Kim Eul-boonGrandmother
- Yoo Seung-hoSang-woo
- Dong Hyo-heeSang-woo's Mother
- Min Kyung-HyunCheol-e
- Yim Eun-kyungHae-yeon
Recommendations
- 88
New York Daily News
Life-affirming story of love, kinship and sacrifice. - 80
Chicago Reader
The plot of the picture is familiar, but it's realized with such delicacy and affection for the characters that it seems as fresh and warm as its verdant setting. - 80
Washington Post
Simple without being slight, and profoundly moving without dipping into mawkishness. - 75
Chicago Tribune
Director Lee has a true cinematic knack, but it's also nice to see a movie with its heart so thoroughly, unabashedly on its sleeve. - 75
The Globe and Mail (Toronto)
If you ever doubted the power and scope of silent film, watch The Way Home. The narrative arc is as broad as any chattering feature, the emotional depth is greater than most, and it's all achieved with virtually no dialogue. - 63
New York Post
The film is worth watching if only for Kim, who before this had never seen a movie, let alone acted in one. - 60
The New York Times
The story, touching though it is, does not quite have enough emotional resonance or variety of incident to sustain a feature, and even at 85 minutes it feels a bit long. The premise, too, is a little thin. - 58
Portland Oregonian
There are many merits to the picture -- it's wonderfully shot and boasts a beautiful performance by Eul-Boom, who acts in gestures of subtle dignity and compassion. But it's questionable how we're to take actor Seung-Ho.
