FILM REVIEW

Miracle in Cell No.7 (2013)

Miracle in cell no.7 is a 2013 South Korean tragicomedy drama. It was directed by
Lee Hwan-kyung. It was released on December 23, 2013. The movie is based on the real-
life story of a man who was tortured and pleaded guilty under duress to the rape and
murder of a 9-year-old girl on September 27, 1972 in Chuncheon before being finally
exonerated in November 2008.

Miracle in cell no.7 is a grievous movie that actually touch and inspire our senses
to the fullest. The movie is filled with sorrow but it is also infused with laughter to create
a balance and variety in the plot. The story of the movie revolves about the mentally
challenge father and his daughter. The father was wrongly accused because of the
corrupt court and ends up getting in jail in cell no.7 where he becomes friends with his
cellmates. The father’s cellmates made a way to get him and her daughter reunited.
Later, they did realize Yong-gu (the father) was innocent but in the end, he was still
sentenced to death.

This movie proved to be worth praising in general, for it had been a goof
combination of comedy and drama. It was very well able to portray in principles the
everyday problems of those who are intellectually challenged people. It was able to
depict truths about life in some degree. I realized that the world is a great disadvantage
to those exceptional people. The world is just too inconsiderate, biased, against these
les capable persons. “due processes” are not necessarily just for them, for instance.

On the one side, the film is spurred on by comedy that is as pure as it is

refreshing. On the other, it is a melodrama about an innocent man in prison, in a legal
system that totally fails him. It is uncanny, just hoe the two sides of the film manage to
work together. The balance is precarious, but it is held up by some of the best acting
talents South Korea has to offer. Ryu Seung-ryong walks the edge of a knife, portraying
an intellectually disable person, but he manages that balance to perfection. His
performance is further aided by Gal So-won, who offers an amazing performance for
one so young. Another thing that really helps the balance is the involvement of subplots
that never really taker over, but they make the story feel a bit more authentic and a bit
less fantastic, such as touching on the issues of illiteracy, poor childcare system, and
personal grief. But above all, the film sets out to do two things: propel righteous anger
at the flawed system by inciting deep compassion for the innocents that have been
wronged, and to highlight the title thins, connections that people can share, regardless
of their social or location.

The titular Miracle is a loud and proud showcase of compassion, and laughter,
and love-the important things in life that we should focus and hold on to, no matter
what bad things follow-and in the case of this film, be prepared-follow, they will.
Another message that the film, offers is that despite all the pain that life brings, we
should believe in moments of justice, even if they are too late, or long overdue. Life is
unfair, and sometimes, it is out to break us-but there is still plenty to smile about, and
there are people to love, which is an energy that is never wasted, buy spreads into the
universe. Love is biggest miracle of all.

Submitted by: Bryan Dave J. Aguinaldo