Under the Radar - Great films that may have passed you by: Madeo

Madeo (Mother) - Joon-ho Bong - 2009

Let’s play a little word association game. I’m going to say something, and then I’m going to try and guess the first word that comes into your head. Ok here goes: ‘amazing filmmaking nations’.

You’re thinking ‘Korea’ aren’t you? No? Well then you obviously haven’t seen Mother, in which case read on!

Since the early noughties, South Korean cinema has begun to grow and it is one of the few nations in which Hollywood films don’t dominate at the box office. Bong Joon-ho’s Madeo is just one example of the growing confidence of this industry.

The film centres around the relationship of hapless, seemingly mentally retarded Do-joon (Won Bin) and his long suffering, but ultimately loving Mother (Hye-ja Kim). When a high school girl is found murdered and left for all to see atop a building in the centre of their village, all fingers instantly point to Do-Joon. However, determined that her son is innocent, his mother sets out to find evidence to the contrary, and will stop at nothing to overturn the conviction.

While on the surface this appears to be an investigation thriller, or murder mystery film, the undercurrent is that of the powerful, sometimes blinding love between a mother and her son. Many films have attempted to explore this relationship, but few have shown just how far a mother may go and the sacrifices they may make to protect their child’s innocence.

Bong Joon-ho expertly examines the dichotomies of this relationship, which can be incredibly complex, yet at the same time innately simple.

While the plot of the film is the conviction of her son, the film’s title reveals who the real focus is. The Mother is an incredibly endearing character, fantastically portrayed by Korean cinema veteran Hye-ja Kim. From the bleak opening scenes of her solitary dancing in a field, to the closing act and dramatic twist she is wonderfully watchable.

In narrative terms, this is an incredibly strong film, taking the viewer on a journey with the titular character as she strives to uncover the truth. With each bit of the mystery she uncovers, so too do the audience. But unlike other murder mystery narratives, where the detective is often cold an emotionless, the audience can really invest in Mother and support her quest, regardless of what she has to do to reach her goal.

But far from a depressing, soul-destroyingly emotional behemoth of a quest to right the wrongs of the world, this is, at times, a surprisingly light-hearted and amusing film, with a thick vein of black comedy running through it. Joon-ho uses light and shade perfectly to add real emphasis and impact to the crucial plot moments. He also packs a solid punch at the close of the film; if you thought the big reveal in the Sixth Sense was good, you’re in for a real treat with Mother.

Madeo is a genuinely clever, moving and insightful exploration of the love between a mother and her son, and the fundamental nature of motherhood. It is certainly worthy of a place on any film lovers DVD rack.