You Are My Pet (Movie)

Movie time!

Now, who wouldn't like to see Jang Geun Suk at their pet? He's already proven to be an adorable kitty cat through Mary Stayed Out All Night.

But...I have to say I wasn't impressed...

Plot: Based on a manga series and Japanese drama, You Are My Pet is about a down-on-his-luck ballet dancer who ends up on the doorstep of a down-on-her-social-skills girl. The girl's a business woman with a great educational background and great credentials. But this makes her intimidating to others and she can't overcome this (see down-on-her-social-skills). So when she finds this guy randomly in her house (thanks to her brother who is friends with the guy), you can imagine the shock. The next day, he appears in a box at her door. And lookie! He reminds the girl of a dog she used to have. And he'll do anything to stay? Well then, come here, Momo!

I got this! I saw this in a Japanese drama once. I just have to bark, right?

Pros:
Acting! Sukkie has yet to disappoint me in his acting skills. Considering he's be acting and modelling most of his life, no wonder. But can acting alone be enough to save this movie?

Cons:
The plot, the style, the carryout...So many things wrong with this. Now, this may be a bit harsh, but I've watched the Japanese drama of this AND have read the manga. And while the movie had its moments:

it still feel short. But why? 

Including everything from a 10-episode live action drama into a 2 hour film and you get a bunch of disjointed ends. Everything became choppy. This happened, then this, then that. And guess what happens? Everything feels rushed, unexplained, and sudden. There were several scenes I felt should have just been cut. And because of all this cramming, there is little emotional buildup.

So what is a drama with no buildup? The Japanese drama shows us the buildup clearly, with the bonding of the two going from complete strangers to people who can't live without each other. They come to rely on each other for relief and comfort. And for such a buildup to occur, time was needed. I really hate to compare things to their originals as I believe every work should be able to stand alone, but even from an unknowing audience's view the movie was choppy.

Really, I wish I could joke more on this, but this movie was a disappointment for me. There was so much hype and Sukkie seemed amazing in the teasers and interviews. But the final product was in my honest opinion a bust. 

But, instead of drowning in misery, we should note what they should have done to make this a better movie. Namely, do what a lot of people yell at them not to do: take stuff out. So what if a minor scene here and there were cut? If that time could be better used to convey the emotions of the characters and to make us believe that they really do build up a bond that becomes a necessity, more power to them. Adaptations are natural, and while one might get ticked off at a few things missing or changed, one should always remember that a change of time of viewing and country can greatly effect the film.

Anyway, scolding over. And I would like to say that I don't mean to offend anyone. From someone more used to watching movies, this may not have been so bad. I don't claim to know the mindset of an average Korean viewer. But coming from someone who has been watching dramas and movies for several years, this truly is my opinion on the movie.

So, am I saying you shouldn't watch it? I'd never say that. The acting was fine, but the script was not so. But please, see it for yourself if your curious. I just warn that if you are used to more "dramatic" dramas, this may be one to avoid.