Watch Sunny

Sunny is a heartwarming and touching Korean film that was directed by Kang Hyeong-Cheol and released in 2011. The movie follows the story of a group of women who were classmates during the 1980s, focusing on both their past and present lives. The film starts off in the present day where we see a middle-aged woman named Na-mi (played by Yoo Ho-jeong), whose life is not going as she had hoped. She's unhappy, struggling to keep her family together and ultimately feels like she's failed as a wife and mother. However, everything takes a different turn once she encounters an old classmate named Chun-hwa (played by Jin Hee-kyung) who is dying of cancer.

Chun-hwa's final wish is to see her old classmates reunited. She asks Na-mi to find them all and bring them together one more time. Na-mi accepts her request and begins to search for her former classmates. She remembers the good old days and how they used to be so close but realizes that a lot has changed over the years. She eventually manages to locate most of her classmates and begins to contact them one by one.

Gradually, the movie starts to shift back and forth between Na-mi's present life and her past life. We see flashbacks of her and her friends in high school, where they were known for forming a group of naughty girls called "Sunny". The film takes us through the different periods of their teenage years, including their struggles, fun times, and secrets that they kept hidden from their parents and teachers.

As the story unfolds, each character's past is revealed and we understand why they became the person they are in present day. One of the most striking things about Sunny is how it handles each character's story arc equally. Each character is given their own spotlight and their own struggles which feels deeply personal and affecting to the viewer.

Even though the film primarily features the women from Sunny, the male supporting cast is also notable. One standout character is Jang-mi's (played by Shim Eun-kyung) father, who is a wonderful example of a loving and supportive single parent. His daughter is deaf and he spends most of his time catering to her special needs. His character is an important contrast to the other fathers in the film who are neglectful, disapproving or even abusive.

Overall, the cinematography in the film is stunning with a perfect balance of color grading, editing and scene composition that feel true to the era. For instance, the film's opening sequence showcases the darker tones of modern-day Seoul which is in stark contrast to the bright pastels of the earlier period. As the narrative progresses, the tone of the film becomes brighter and hopeful, thanks to the girls' heartwarming reunions.

One other notable aspect of Sunny is its soundtrack, consisting of popular retro tracks from the 1980s which help to set the tone of nostalgia and reminiscence throughout the film. These tunes also help to evoke a sense of playful teenage angst and joy, and are used at key moments of the film, such as when the girls are cruising around in their car, singing their hearts out.

The cast of Sunny delivered some of the most emotional and sincere performances that you will ever come across, bringing the film to life and making it an unforgettable experience. They perfectly capture the essence of teenage life and how it shapes them into the adults they become, which is something that anyone can relate to.

In conclusion, Sunny is an outstanding film that tells a universal story about the joys, heartbreaks and nostalgia of growing up, all while touching on important social issues such as poverty, gender roles and discrimination. It's a beautiful, insightful and heartwarming piece of cinema that will leave a lasting impression on anyone who watches it, whether you're from Korea or not.

Sunny is a 2011 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 4 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.7.