The Way Home (Jibeuro) (2002) - Rotten Tomatoes

The Way Home (Jibeuro) (2002)

TOMATOMETER

75%
74%

AUDIENCE SCORE

92%

Critic Consensus: A simple story told with much warmth and compassion.

The Way Home (Jibeuro) Photos

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Movie Info

Seven-year-old Sang-woo is left with his grandmother in a remote village while his mother looks for work. Born and raised in the city, Sang-woo quickly comes into conflict with his old-fashioned grandmother and his new rural surroundings. Disrespectful and selfish, Sang-woo lashes out in anger, perceiving that he has been abandoned. He trades his grandmother's only treasure for a video game; he throws his food and he throws tantrums. When Sang-woo's mother finds work and finally returns for him, Sang-woo has become a different boy. Through his grandmother's boundless patience and devotion, he learns to embrace empathy, humility and the importance of family.

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Cast

Kim Eul-boon
as Grandmother
Yoo Seung-ho
as Sang-woo
Seung-ho Yu
Hyo-hee Dong
as Sang-woo's Mother
Min Kyung-hun
Eun-kyung Yim
Dong Hyo-heui
Kyung-hyun Min
as Cheol-e
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Critic Reviews for The Way Home (Jibeuro)

All Critics (56) | Top Critics (19)

Thanks to confident filmmaking and a pair of fascinating performances, the way to that destination is a really special walk in the woods.

April 18, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4 | Full Review…
Top Critic

Eul-Boon Kim's soulful portrayal of the illiterate, deaf-mute grandmother illuminates the dignity of her demeanor and the sad resignation in her eyes.

March 27, 2003 | Rating: B+ | Full Review…
Top Critic

The film has good actors and enough quirky moments to keep it interesting.

March 7, 2003 | Rating: 2.5/4 | Full Review…
Top Critic

The film is meant to be simple and charming. Unfortunately, it's simple and boring.

March 6, 2003 | Rating: C
Top Critic

The pace is slow, the message none too subtle and the boy barely tolerable. But the film is still better than the mainstream run of movies from Hollywood.

January 31, 2003 | Rating: 3/5
Top Critic

Jeong-Hyang Lee's film is deceptively simple, deeply satisfying.

January 24, 2003 | Rating: 3.5/4
Top Critic
View All Critic Reviews (56)

Audience Reviews for The Way Home (Jibeuro)

This is a really nice movie, but the little boy in this was so obnoxious, I was waiting for grandma too wack him with her walking stick...yet she never did. I kept waiting for that moment when the kid redeemed himself for all the nasty things that he did to her, but it wasn't until the very end where he ALMOST did. Still not sure that I forgive him, but all in all the movie was quite enjoyable to watch.

Cynthia S.
Cynthia S.

Super Reviewer

A heart warming story, but very drawn out. Because of the Grandmother being mute and most of the dialogue coming from the Grandson, this almost comes across the way a silent movie would in that you take more notice of the visual things. A kind of cute, but serious film, but very drawn out.

Lady D'arbanville
Lady D'arbanville

Super Reviewer

A sweet and gentle film. The little kid is an absolute prick and you want to slap him, but of course it makes the journey of each character even better. It's a sweet and simple tale of family and is just a big smily watch.

Luke Baldock
Luke Baldock

Super Reviewer

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