[HanCinema's Film Review] "A Long Visit" + DVD Giveaway

In the present day Ji-sook (played by Park Jin-hee) is happily married and has a daughter. But recent events have Ji-sook looking backtoward her hometown. Ji-sook's mother (played by Kim Hae-sook) is the eternally suffering type, although she does her best to put a bright face on bad situations. Ji-sook's father (played by Jo Young-jin) is physically abusive, and while Ji-sook finds the situation appalling...well, that's just a very rural old-fashioned attitude is all. The things mother will put up for our sake.

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"A Long Visit" is a love letter to mothers, and the idea of mothering. Director Yoo Sung-yup feels surprisingly little need to inject villains into the story. Ji-sook never really gains much affection for her father, although she does eventually acknowledge that he did love his family. Nor, for that matter, is the conflict over Ji-sook's marriage given much consideration. The role of a mother is to do right by her children, and that's exactly what ends up happening.

Even though the story is framed from Ji-sook's point of view, it's only ever Ji-sook's relationship with her mother that's in much focus. I wasn't always sure whose flashbacks we were supposed to be watching, given how in several essential scenes Ji-sook doesn't appear at all. Although I suppose that's part of the point. The bond between mother and child is one that's filled with those little moments that no one else outside of that pair is even aware of. Like when your mom insists on embarassing you at school. Of course no one knows about that- that's the whole point!

"A Long Visit" is a sort of stream of consciousness of all these classic mom moments. It uses the nostalgia filter in order to let Ji-sook ignore whatever temporary annoyances there were at the time and see the big picture and appreciate that pride is no sacrifice for the joy of love. At this particular moment in Ji-sook's life, there is no better way for the woman to spend her time than to be at her mom's side. Mom- the woman who's supposed to love you no matter what.

There's not much in the way of actual plot in "A Long Visit", although this kind of pure emotional story doesn't really need one anyway. Much how a mother can know exactly what you're feeling even when you haven't caught on yet, writer Jang Hye-seon anticipates where Ji-sook is going through osmosis. Where does your mind wander, when it gets to thinking about mother? What other comfort is nearby, that's worth reliving?

Simplicity is, as is often the case, also the main obvious weakness of "A Long Visit". The central emotional idea behind the movie is a fairly clichéd oned. It doesn't necessarily have anything to do with your mother, or even mine. But the sentiment is a sweet one, and I was with "A Long Visit" all the way to the inevitably sad ending. Because sooner or later, that's what happens to all the best relationships. They have to end.

Review by William Schwartz

"A Long Visit" is directed by Yoo Sung-yup and features Kim Hae-sook and Park Jin-hee

 

A Long Visit DVD