Far Away : Les soldats de l’espoir

My Way is a disjointed kitsch, where the plucking of national heartstrings is supplemented by a deadly dose of pathos and sentimentality. Korean cinema hasn't grown on me, and Je-gyu Kang only deepened my distrust toward it... Overall impression 25%. (05/06/2024)

A South Korean war epic through and through. I found online that it is the most expensive South Korean film ever made, with a total cost of 24 million dollars. I must admit that it shows. Je-gyu Kang captivated me with his previous war film Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War, so I simply had to see My Way as well. While the film is inspired by a true story, the rivalry between the two marathon runners, both on the track and in war, is fictional. However, that didn't bother me at all. The period atmosphere is captured wonderfully, and the sets are top-notch. Both main actors were very likable, and their performances were brilliant. It's incredible what the real Yang Kyoungjong had to endure before getting back home. The biggest cinematic draw is undoubtedly the battles, which are truly intense, with the financial investment radiating through every action moment. In this regard, My Way holds its own against Hollywood blockbusters. The ending was emotional, albeit slightly over the top, but I shrugged that off. I expected a far worse film, but My Way, along with Taegukgi: The Brotherhood of War, is among the best that South Korean cinema has produced so far. I give it 90%. (14/01/2017)