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The Way Home

Play trailer Poster for The Way Home PG 2002 1h 26m Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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75% Tomatometer 57 Reviews 92% Popcornmeter 5,000+ Ratings
Little Sang-woo (Yoo Seung-ho) doesn't want to leave Seoul, South Korea, to live with his mute grandmother (Kim Eul-boon) in the countryside, but his mother (Dong Hyo-heui) compels him, as she needs to look for a new job. Fractious and ill-mannered, Sang-woo variously ignores and taunts his grandmother with insulting epithets. When she won't buy batteries for his toy, he even steals from her. But over time, and in the face of her unquestioning love, he comes to admire and respect her.
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The Way Home

The Way Home

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Critics Consensus

A simple story told with much warmth and compassion.

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Critics Reviews

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Janice Page Boston Globe 04/18/2003
3.5/4
Thanks to confident filmmaking and a pair of fascinating performances, the way to that destination is a really special walk in the woods. Go to Full Review
Philip Wuntch Dallas Morning News 03/27/2003
B+
Eul-Boon Kim's soulful portrayal of the illiterate, deaf-mute grandmother illuminates the dignity of her demeanor and the sad resignation in her eyes. Go to Full Review
Eleanor Ringel Cater Atlanta Journal-Constitution 03/06/2003
C
The film is meant to be simple and charming. Unfortunately, it's simple and boring. Go to Full Review
Jae-Ha Kim Jae-Ha Kim (Substack) 07/27/2023
3/4
“The Way Home” is a bittersweet film about a young Seoul boy who is forced to spend the summer with his grandmother, who lives in the countryside where the bus comes on a irregular schedule and an angry cow chases away little children. Go to Full Review
John A. Nesbit Old School Reviews 01/29/2012
C
manipulative tear jerking moments are far too familiar Go to Full Review
Mark Halverson Sacramento News & Review 08/07/2008
3/5
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Audience Reviews

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Ken R 05/08/2021 The Way Home – City Boy Meets Country Lee Jeong Hyang's thoughtful film examining the differences of city-bred kids (and their parents) with the lives of their isolated grandparents in an outback, unsophisticated peasant village. This simple Korean tale unfolds at a leisurely pace as we follow the care and attention freely given by a grandmother to her daughters 7yr old son - underlining the astute differences of those leading a simple sparse life, against those with more than they truly need, breeding an attitude of expectant selfishness. The visuals, both rich and sparse are accompanied by a simple but mostly pleasing musical score reminiscent in style (but not as lush) as earlier classics like ‘The Red Balloon' and ‘Louisiana Story'. The boy (and Grandmother played by Kim Eul Boon who at 78 had never even seen a movie before!) are well cast and richly played - with some grueling scenes of the hardships that make up the everyday life of this simple, hardworking woman, etching out an existence in a harsh environment and selflessly giving of herself for her visiting charge. A good comparative piece for thoughtful audiences. See more 04/19/2021 This movie is touching every heart. There is nothing much, only emotional from "mute" grandmother and spoiled boy. The reaction of both the boy and grandmother is so real. Lovely and this would make every miss you granny. See more Frances H 02/14/2020 A heart warming story of a little boy sent to live with his grandmother in a very rural district while his mother searches for a new job. At first he is disrespectful of his mute grandma and the fact that she doesn't have all the comforts he is used to, plus he is really a spoiled brat. But gradually he sees that she is trying to be kind and get him what he wants, so that he begins reciprocate in small ways and stop thinking solely about himself and what he wants as the most important things in the world--a lesson many adults never learn. See more 04/06/2019 I bought multiple copies of this movie years ago on VHS. This movie is beautiful and it's perfect for any English Language Learner as it has a lot more action than dialogue. I absolutely adore this movie and now that I'm a 9th grade HS teacher I am introducing it to my students. It's a great movie to teach characterization because the main characters arc is so clean and easy to identify for students. It's an homage to all grandmothers! See more 01/19/2019 Rotten kid. How many times was I that horrible and my grandma that good. Tearjerker. See more 04/11/2018 a simple story, no action, nor surprises. but i loved it, i loved it so much that, since i watched it, i cannot bear to watch hollywood movies. my taste in movies changed completely, i said "so it is possible to shot the perfect movie without any exaggeration, action, special effects, surprise or whatsoever!" See more Read all reviews
The Way Home

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Movie Info

Synopsis Little Sang-woo (Yoo Seung-ho) doesn't want to leave Seoul, South Korea, to live with his mute grandmother (Kim Eul-boon) in the countryside, but his mother (Dong Hyo-heui) compels him, as she needs to look for a new job. Fractious and ill-mannered, Sang-woo variously ignores and taunts his grandmother with insulting epithets. When she won't buy batteries for his toy, he even steals from her. But over time, and in the face of her unquestioning love, he comes to admire and respect her.
Director
Jeong-Hyang Lee
Producer
Woo-Hyun Whang, Jae-woo Whang
Screenwriter
Jeong-Hyang Lee
Distributor
Paramount Pictures
Production Co
Tube Pictures, CJ Entertainment
Rating
PG (Language|Mild Thematic Elements)
Genre
Drama
Original Language
Korean
Release Date (Theaters)
Nov 15, 2002, Wide
Release Date (Streaming)
Oct 7, 2008
Box Office (Gross USA)
$444.9K
Runtime
1h 26m
Sound Mix
Surround, Dolby SR, Dolby A, Dolby Stereo
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.85:1)
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