Directed by Hirokazu Kore-eda, ‘Broker’ spins a tale about the intertwined lives of those connected to an abandoned child. Even before its release, it was buzzing after being invited to the Cannes Film Festival’s competition section. With the director’s wide recognition and a stellar cast promising top-notch performances, I was all set to catch it as soon as it hit theaters. Yet, despite Song Kang-ho’s Best Actor win at Cannes, many found it not as engaging, and with my hectic schedule, I missed its screening. 🌧️
It was a Saturday morning, with the rain finally taking a break. A cool breeze swept in as I opened the window, unusual for midsummer. But stepping out wasn’t on the agenda; who knows when the clouds might gather again? After being fooled by the weather several times this week, I decided to stay in. While lazily browsing through IPTV, I stumbled upon this movie and hit play without hesitation—after all, I had nothing better to do. It’s all the weather’s fault. 🌦️
The movie was serene. I understood why some found it dull. If I’d dragged a friend along, I might’ve been anxious, knowing they crave the dazzle of Marvel or the twists of a Park Chan-wook film. But you can’t just spice up a movie on the spot, and in theaters, silence is golden. Watching alone in my living room, I could focus solely on the screen. 🎬
Song Kang-ho is a master. I don’t need synopses or reviews to watch his films. His performance was so smooth, yet familiar; it was like seeing ‘Parasite’s Song Kang-ho again. Kang Dong-won, on the other hand, felt a bit rigid, his handsome looks perhaps distracting. I adored Bae Doona’s portrayal of a character who seemed to think and converse simultaneously—so true to her nature and reminiscent of someone I know. Some reviews complained about muffled dialogues, but I found it genuine. Not every conversation needs to be crystal clear, right? And IU’s natural swearing was refreshingly cool. The scene where she spontaneously grabs Kang Dong-won’s hand on the Ferris wheel—it pierced my heart. It was such a fleeting moment, with no lines, yet it was deeply moving. That scene alone made watching this movie worthwhile. 💔
There are certainly parts where the emotional shifts felt rushed. Fitting such a long-winded script into two hours was ambitious. Perhaps with a longer runtime, the film could’ve followed the director’s intended flow, but audiences might’ve found it even more tedious. ⏳
Regardless, I personally found Hirokazu Kore-eda’s ‘Broker’ to be quite charming. 🌟
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