A touching, romantic drama from renowned South Korean filmmaker, Hur Jin Ho (Christmas in August), April Snow nonetheless addresses some serious moral issues regarding marital infidelity. Lighting technician In Su (Bae Yong Joon) and housewife Seo Young (Son Ye Jin) meet by chance in a hospital after their respective spouses fall into a coma following a car crash and are left shocked and distraught by the dawning realisation that their partners were having an affair, prior to the accident. In Su and Seo Young depend on each other increasingly for emotional support and, over time, romantic feelings develop between them, though the pair clearly struggle with the concept of potentially behaving no better than their unfaithful spouses. However, the slow pace of April Snow gives the audience plenty of time to dwell on In Su and Seo Young’s unfortunate situation and such is their sadness that, when love creeps into the equation, it is impossible not to long for a happy outcome for the protagonists. The film rests very capably on the shoulders of Bae and Son, whose acting is first class throughout, and the pair’s obvious on-screen chemistry is especially evident in the sensual love scenes. The inclusion of a moving, piano-based background score, coupled with Hur Jin Ho’s trademark shots of the weather and some stunning cinematography, enhances the drama greatly and stirs unexpected emotions in the viewer. Hur’s sensitive treatment of this potentially controversial subject matter ensures that the viewer doesn’t condemn the protagonists and April Snow makes a profound statement on the true nature of love, without resorting to all of the usual cliches associated with the genre. The film shows how human beings can find happiness in the most unlikely of situations and is an absolute must see for all romantics, everywhere.
Overall Rating: 5/5
