Forever the Moment
Uri saengae choigoeui sungan (South Korea)
A Sidus FNH release of an MK Pictures production. (International sales: Golden Network, Hong Kong.) Produced by Shim Jae-myeong, Kim Hyeon-cheol. Executive producer, Lee Eun. Directed by Im Sun-rye. Screenplay, Na Hyeon; adaptation, Im.
With: Mun So-ri, Kim Jeong-eun, Eom Tae-woong, Kim Ji-yeong, Jo Eun-ji, Park Weon-sang, Jeong Seok-yong, Min Ji, Jo Yeong-jin.
By DEREK ELLEY
Female pluck, national pride and Olympic ambition coalesce very slowly in "Forever the Moment," a dramatically flaccid sports drama capped by a powerful finale. Based on the story of the South Korean women's handball team that reached the Athens Olympics' finals, the pic has done socko biz at home (4 million admissions in six weeks) but looks unlikely to kindle many hearts offshore, even in Asia. Oriental-themed fests could bite, as a curio.
Main story focuses on two past champs brought in to boost the raggedy team: Mi-suk (Mun So-ri), now working in a supermarket, and Hye-gyeong (Kim Jeong-eun), coaching in Japan. Mi-suk is seen as over-the-hill by the younger players, and Hye-gyeong is replaced as coach by a male handball star, Seung-pil (Eom Tae-woong), who has fancy new ideas about training. The fact he's also a former lover of Hye-gyeong doesn't help. Kim, normally in romantic-comedic roles, is aces as the tough female coach, but the discursive script drags out the 90-minute lead-up to the climactic game (well-known among Korean sports fans). Among supports, Jo Eun-ji and Kim Ji-yeong stand out as the team's ditz and hard-ass.
Camera (color, widescreen), Hwang Gi-seok; editor, Mun In-dae; music, Yun Min-hwa; art director, Ra Hyeon-gyeong. Reviewed at Berlin Film Festival (market), Feb. 9, 2008. Running time: 124 MIN.
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