A moment to remember is one of the most romantic tear jerker’s that I have ever seen. The 2004 South Korean film has often been overlooked and widely unknown by film polls for romantic films.In all honesty, the plot line has been done several times by so many other films. The girl falls in love with the guy and then eventually falling terminally ill is a simple plotline that has been copied several times in this genre ever since Love Story premiered way back in 1970. The only difference in this film is that instead of death, the female lead is struck by Alzheimer’s disease.
The main reason that carries this film from being just another love story is due to heartfelt and emotional performances by both leads, the handsome Jung Woo-sung and fragile cheery beauty Son Ye-Jin. Their performances and chemistry alongside artful direction of John H.Lee carries this film to the point where it is romantic yet you can’t help shedding a tear for the lovers .If anyone remembers the last scene in Ghost, this is somewhat similar.
The initial first part of the film starts off geared more as a light romantic comedy where the female lead, Su- Jin and the male lead Chul Soo who meets in a convenience store. This eventually follows by their subsequent courting despite the social standing that otherwise should have kept them apart. In due time, they are married and soon settles into a happy married life where Su-Jin is loved and cared by her husband.
The film then begins to evolve as Su-Jin slowly starts to display forgetfulness. She eventually has to seek medical help which leads to the diagnosis that she has been inflicted with Alzheimer’s disease. It is from this point on that the film explores the depth and frustration from which Chul Soo slowly witnesses the gradual loss of his wife. It is a sad yet revealing portrait of loss and strength both at the same time as he battles to overcome her decline.
With the disease fully in its onset, it becomes heartbreaking yet Chul Soo displays much strength and hope. Even when the reality that his wife’s memory is literally gone, he does not leave her and stands by her even in their darkest moment.
Not many films paint such a beautifully romantic yet heartbreaking view of love but this is one of them. If you are looking to believe and to remember what it really means to love without ever asking why, this is the film to watch.
