Romang is a heart-warming and thought-provoking 2019 South Korean movie about a woman named Mi-Hee, played by Bae Hae-Sun, who has been living with Alzheimer's disease for several years. The film delves into her struggles and how she tries to reconcile with her estranged daughter, Young-Joo, played by Park Bo-Kyung. The film is underpinned by a narrative that interlaces past and present, exploring the lifelong love between Mi-Hee and her husband, who died years ago. It also delves into the complex relationship between Mi-Hee and her daughter, Young-Joo, who'd distanced herself from her mother and family for years.
The story starts with Mi-Hee being diagnosed with Alzheimer's and taken into an assisted living facility. Her mental condition rapidly declines, and she suffers from memory loss and confusion. Her only companion in the facility is Sang-Chul, played by Jo Han-Chul, a kind-hearted nurse who tries his best to alleviate her pain and loneliness.
Young-Joo eventually hears of her mother's condition and decides to visit her. Initially, she doesn't recognize her mother and mistakes her for another patient until Sang-Chul steps in and informs her about the situation. Young-Joo feels guilty about her past behavior and begins to spend time with her mother regularly. She tries to reconnect with her mother by bringing up their shared past and giving her gifts.
As the film progresses, we see Mi-Hee and Young-Joo's relationship taking a positive turn, and they start to rebuild their bond. However, Mi-Hee's state worsens, and her dementia becomes more severe. Even so, she doesn't lose hope and continues to find joy in the small moments of life.
Romang explores the emotional journey of Alzheimer's and dementia patients and their caretakers. It exposes the struggles, pain, and hope in a disease that affects millions of people worldwide. Director Lee Chang-Geun did an excellent job of seamlessly blending humor, sadness, and tenderness in the film. He also adds a touch of reality through the interactions between the staff and the seniors, which highlight the importance of respect and compassion for the elderly in South Korea.
Another notable aspect of the film is the scenery and cinematography. The film's setting is a beautiful, mountainous area with lush, green foliage and stunning landscapes. The environment evokes a peaceful, calming effect that contrasts the emotional waves of the story. The film's score also compliments the visuals, with great music that reflects the mood of each scene.
As a whole, Romang is a poignant and heartwarming story that touches on family relationships, love, illness, and human resilience. It is a movie that anyone can relate to and is a must-watch for anyone that's going through or has experienced the challenges of caring for someone with Alzheimer's or dementia.
Romang is a 2019 drama with a runtime of 1 hour and 52 minutes.
It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 6.7.