‘Discarded issues give extra trustworthy portraits of individuals’
A criticism of Shim Hye-jung‘s “Flowers of Mildew” is that it maybe options concepts that you just really feel you’ve seen earlier than, although on the plus facet, it pulls off these concepts pretty properly, and is a properly rounded and polished story of city alienation.
Based mostly on the quick story by Ha Seong-nan, Jisu (Kim Jae-kyung) dietary supplements her work processing meal package deliveries by sorting via and cataloguing her neighbors’ garbage, figuring out traits and the life tales of these round her she has by no means truly met. Turning into interested in Woo-jae (Hyun Woo), her direct neighbor, she finds herself manufacturing situations for them to fulfill primarily based on what she present in his bin luggage. However as their relationship develops, her further information sees her study issues she maybe would not like and grows a way of betraying belief. Assumptions begin to substitute pure developments, as Jisu’s social struggles once more begin to develop into a burden on her happiness.
On the floor, that is one thing of a normal love story about a clumsy lady and the charming man she has fallen for. There may be the gradual improvement of the connection, seemingly platonic all through, earlier than a devastating revelation, then in the end, realization of emotions for each other.
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That is performed out to a background of city alienation, nonetheless. Jisu’s profession exhibits a world the place folks have pre-set meals delivered to their door, all however ready-to-eat, providing strategies of drink pairings to take away any sense of distinctive style or household custom. The condo block the place they reside is a part of a dilapidated set of buildings that look ripe for demolition, but inside are trendy, although sparse and bland.
There’s something of the hikikomori in Jisu, as she obsessively builds footage in her thoughts of individuals primarily based on what they throw away, believing our trash says extra about us than any false pictures put ahead on social media. However as such, she will be able to’t address actuality face-to-face. She is aware of greater than she ought to, and basically betrays the belief Woo-jae craves.
Hyun Woo as Woo-jae has all of the manicured appeal of a Ok-Pop star; just a little completely wood in elements. The introduction of Jisu’s mom is probably just a little too aggressive and overbearing to really feel pure, although maybe explains her daughter’s behaviour. Kim Jae-kyung as Jisu has a willpower in her consolation zone, although is monosyllabic, if making any noise, within the presence of others. Maybe this fits the function of a shut-in, however Woo-jae’s enthusiasm appears to disregard this behaviour, making the pair’s interactions just a little stifled in locations.
For a love story, subsequently, human interactions are removed from its robust level, with extra technical features and post-production the place the movie succeeds. Kim Ji-ryong‘s cinematography makes essentially the most of its condo block setting, with human’s dwelling particular person lives, as if in fish tanks, side-by-side, whereas Kim In-young‘s soundtrack is sparse and matches the design of the movie properly, if not essentially the most unique accompaniment.
The questions of belief and honesty are maybe the important thing themes in the long run, with Jisu doing no unsuitable in her eyes, studying issues about folks she barely is aware of, in a position to assist them and even perhaps discover love, although there’s a must face actuality in the long run.
“Flowers of Mildew” aesthetically pleasing, and if you happen to do not take it too significantly – it maybe would not get its arms soiled sufficient coping with the social points it raises – that is an gratifying piece of mainstream cinema. It is not excellent, however has extra good than unhealthy.
