Poetry

A sweet, quiet, soft-spoken grandmother devotes her time to caring for her grandson and working as a maid for an elderly stroke victim. But when it is revealed to her by a doctor that she is in the early stages of Alzheimer’s she decides to do something for herself and enrolls in a class to learn how to write poetry. As a young Korean school girl a teacher once told her that she had the soul of a poet. She sees beauty in everything and even treats her body like a canvas always dressing with refinement and color. The idea of being a poet pleases her and she wants desperately to learn how to write a poem.
 
Once in her poetry class Mija becomes very frustrated trying to discover where poetic inspiration comes from. She begins carrying a notepad around with her and meticulously writes down ideas and phrases. But when it comes to writing a poem of her own she is unable to tap into her poetic heart. She begins to go to poetry readings and even forms relationships with other writers, yet her own poem still eludes her.
 
One day her spoiled and belligerent grandson becomes even more moody and starts staying out late with his friends. She attempts to rein him in but he is the master of the house and knows it. In her demure playful way she tries to cajole him into submission but she is losing her hold over him. Jongwook is growing up fast and his friend’s influence is strengthening. Mija is losing control over her grandson and her life.
 
Mija is working hard to hide the effects of Alzheimer’s from her grandson and her friends but when Jongwook is caught up in the gang-rape and suicide of a female classmate, she is thrust into an emotional situation and the necessity of meeting with the other boy’s fathers. The men agree to pay the girl’s family off in order to keep the scandal secret but Mija’s poetic spirit is too empathetic towards the girl’s mother. As she struggles to come to terms with her grandson’s act and the need to raise money to absolve him, her whole demeanor changes. Finding beauty is suddenly more difficult; she is now facing a very ugly world.
 
Very few Korean films make it to the United States so I am unfamiliar with the actress playing Mija (Jeong-hie Yun) but she is lovely. I was completely mesmerized by her and her performance was a poem within itself. Even with subtitles I was fully immersed in her plight and understood all her varying emotions. In the midst of this ugly situation you could still feel the beauty of her spirit. Poetry treads lightly with a very heavy subject. It is a beautiful film with a portrayal that haunts me. It is a story that I’ll remember for some time.

Rating: First Run A beautiful poetic performance by Jeong-hie Yun