Watch Closer to Heaven

Closer to Heaven is a touching drama film from South Korea that was released in 2009. The movie follows the story of a touching love affair between a man and a woman, both of whom are faced with difficult and emotional circumstances. Jong-woo (played by Myung-Min Kim) is a taxi driver who has just learned that he has a brain tumor. He decides not to tell his family or his girlfriend, Na-ri (played by Ha Ji-Won), and instead chooses to keep it to himself. Meanwhile, Na-ri is a hospice nurse who is dedicated to her job of helping terminally ill patients find peace in their final days.

During a chance encounter, Jong-woo and Na-ri meet and fall in love. Together, they navigate their own individual medical struggles while also coming to terms with the reality of their love affair. As their relationship deepens, Jong-woo's condition worsens and Na-ri must come to terms with the inevitability of his passing.

The movie explores themes of love, loss, and mortality in a sensitive and heartfelt way. The performances by both Myung-Min Kim and Ha Ji-Won are fantastic, bringing a real sense of depth and emotion to their characters. The supporting cast is also incredibly strong, with Neung-mi Nam giving a standout performance as one of Na-ri's patients.

What makes Closer to Heaven truly unique is its exploration of end-of-life care in South Korea. It sheds light on the hospice system and the important work that hospice nurses do, while also exploring the stigma surrounding terminal illness and death in the country.

The movie is beautifully shot, with stunning cinematography capturing the mood and atmosphere of each scene. The score is also incredibly moving, with a mix of both traditional and modern South Korean music.

Throughout the film, there are moments of both pain and beauty. The tender moments between Jong-woo and Na-ri are balanced with the heart-wrenching scenes of Jong-woo's illness and Na-ri's work in hospice care. The film never shies away from the difficult realities of life and death, but also manages to find hope and happiness amidst the sadness.

Overall, Closer to Heaven is a poignant and memorable film that will leave a lasting impact on anyone who watches it. It's a powerful reminder of the value of human connection and the importance of cherishing every moment in life.

Closer to Heaven is a 2009 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 1 minute. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.6.