MovieChat Forums > Jibeuro (2002) Discussion > No Development

No Development

posted 17 years ago by Turnerp
11 replies | jump to latest

I thought the little boy was suppose to learn the importance of love and respect for family and elders. At what point did he learn that and where was the transition? I just don't feel that the director balanced things out.

We know that the kid is rotten even from the opening scenes, the further display of his behavior builds on his character. Where was the learning experience at? Yeah he felt sorry when she gave him the money for the batteries, but that could have been guilt. I think the director could have been a little clearer on that, considering the fact that we're dealing with a child here.

I just didn't feel any radical change in the boy.

To me the film suggest that respect for family and your elders is important. The film neglects to SHOW why.

That's my only beef, other than that good movie.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] Turnerp 17 years ago

umm..yeah

[–] DarrenAIW 17 years ago

The director delivered... the point at which the boy starts to learn, is the point at which you observe your reaction to it... this is one of those movies, where if you're not in tune with what's going on... you miss so much...

[–] Turnerp 17 years ago

I was totaly in tune, I swear! I just thought things moved a bit to quickly.

[–] abchulett 17 years ago

I think what you missed is that the kid didn't go thru a phony Hollywood 180-degree turnabout. He starts out totally selfish and hateful, thinks he knows everything, and gradually begins to care about what happens to the old lady. He goes from throwing her shoes away out of spite to covering her up with an extra blanket when he thinks she's sick, and that's far before the end of the film. It's about growth in degrees. Kinda like real life. Beautiful story.

[–] Turnerp 17 years ago

You know what? You might just have something. I am accustomed to the "phony Hollywood 180-degree turnabout", and I have to bear in mind that this is a Korean film, not all films use the American method of storytelling. Good point.

[–] 17 years ago

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[–] ZTrainExpress 16 years ago

I thought the fact that the boy didn't learn a clear lesson showed that this movie shied away from sappy movie cliches.

I thought that made it more realistic. A lot of the lessons I learned in my youth didn't dawn on me until later looking back. Children at that age still have an egocentric mindset where it's very difficult to feel empathy towards others.

And guess what? Just when you thought that the kid learned something, he does something to the contrary. Isn't that how kids are?

I think the reason why this movie was so popular in Korea and beyond was the director's decision to show this relationship the way it might actually be.

Loved this movie!

[–] Rupert_Pupkin1 15 years ago

I agree with you Train. The human decency was already in the kid and it was his experience that brought it out. It's very easy to lose interest in a toy once you're stripped of the luxury. He had no choice but to adapt and show resilience. He then began to see his grandma as a real person and to care about her feelings towards him (and the others). I enjoyed this element of truth in the film. At that age, you take everything to heart and are desperate to do the right thing. Failure to balance selfish indulgences with what you think is the right thing to do can often lead to mistakes and guilt you wish to avoid.

"We must get beyond passions, like a great work of art. In such miraculous harmony."

[–] Rupert_Pupkin1 15 years ago

Yeah he felt sorry when she gave him the money for the batteries, but that could have been guilt. I think the director could have been a little clearer on that, considering the fact that we're dealing with a child here.

It felt right, so it didn't need to be clearer. Did you receive a present as a kid you felt you didn't deserve because the person's kindness and sacrifice was something you couldn't relate to? I know i did. It must be difficult too for the adult to find a way of helping the child re-pay you without upsetting them.

I just didn't feel any radical change in the boy.

You weren't supposed to. The time span of the film is a few days. All he does is adapt and react. His inner enrichment mixed with the sadness of departure was not something which could have been shown in multiple ways, so the director chose to have the kid run to the back of the bus, without obtrusive music or a close-up. This was enough.

To me the film suggest that respect for family and your elders is important. The film neglects to SHOW why.

The camera mirrors the perspective of the child. At times it's forlorn and other times impulsive or observant. The kid takes breakfast to his grandma because he feels it's the right thing to do under impulse, not because of a radical change. It doesn't mean he will stop being spoilt or impatient at other times in the day.

"We must get beyond passions, like a great work of art. In such miraculous harmony."

[–] FranLovesBetteD 10 years ago

I'm with the OP regarding this. I, too, was expecting for a "turning point" that would make the boy change his nasty behaviour, but it barely happened. I wouldn't even say he really "changed" in the end, he simply felt a bit guilty for being so rude to his grandma.

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