Mother (Madeo) 2009

Hye-ja (Kim Hye-Ja) is a long ago widowed mother who lives alone with her only son Do-jun (Won Bin). Although Do-jun is 28 years old, his mental capacity is far below someone his age and perhaps the reason for his many eccentric personality traits. Late one night, Do-jun leaves a bar drunk and walks home. Along the way home, he follows a school girl down an alley, before a huge rock thrown his way chases him away. When he arrives home, Do-jun sleeps on the floor next to his mother like he always does. The next day the police discover a murdered high school girl and a golf ball with Do-jun's name inscribed on it near the crime scene. With only this small bit of evidence, Do-jun is taken into custody and promptly arrested for her murder. His defense attorney looks for a quick plea bargain - which would require Do-jun to spend four years in detention - which isn't an option for Hye-ja and her only son. Faced with no other options, Hye-ja takes the initiative to prove her son's innocence.

Director: Bong Joon-Ho

Stars: Kim Hye-Ja, Won Bin, Jin Goo

JDramaMama's Rating: C

This is not a nice film. A mentally unstable young man and an overly protective mother who will do anything to prove his innocence. The film is gritty and realistic and by the end, you're confused as to if he really murdered the girl or not, because of his....Mother. Excellent performance by Kim Hye-Ja as the mother.

#crime #SouthKorea #thriller #mystery