Ode to My Father

Tugging shamelessly yet persuasively on the heartstrings, "Ode to My Father" is an epic South Korean melodrama capturing more than half a century of recent history through the eyes of an everyman shopkeeper.

"Ode to My Father" may have slain them in South Korea, but its packaged pain and bullet-point structure are likely to leave Western audiences cold.

Everything is lathered with a syrupy, string-laden musical score designed to gnaw at a viewer's tear ducts. It's about as subtle as having an off-screen narrator yell "Start crying!" before big scenes, and probably as effective.

During the Korean War, Deok-Su loses his baby sister and their father never returns home. These losses will haunt him for the rest of his life, as he tries to fulfill his promise to his father that he would take care of their family.

Hwang is excellent in his portrayal of the selfless everyday man. Lost alumnus Kim Yun Jin, who plays Deok Soo's wife, is amazing too.

It's too bad the treatment of Capt. LaRue will likely put off those who are familiar with him as a historical figure, because the work of Hwang and Oh give Ode real heart.

Heartwarming, brilliantly acted and unexpectedly funny, Ode to My Father is an epic odyssey through Korean history that feels so personal, it is impossible not to be engrossed in the emotion of the story.

[Director JK] Youn proves himself a truly versatile and accomplished filmmaker.