Movie Monday – Wonderful Nightmare (2015)

Starring: Song Seung-Heon as Sung Hwan, Uhm Jung-Hwa as Yeon Woo, Kim Sang-Ho as Director Kim, Seo Shin-Ae as Ha Neul, Ra Mi-Ran as Mi Sun, Jung Ji-Hoon as Ha Roo, and Lee Seung-Ho as Kyeong Ho

Rating: PG-13, some language

Running Time: 125 min

Twinkies: 5 stars

Synopsis: Due to a mistake from heaven, Yeon-Woo, a female attorney, dies. Before she is able to return to her normal self, she must live as an ordinary housewife for a month. She begins her temporary new life with her new husband, Sung-Hwan and daughter, Ha-Neul.

Musings: So, was this “The Family Man” (starred Nicholas Cage), Korean style? Close. But what this movie did was take the body switching one step further. Not only did Yeon Woo learn valuable lessons in life but also what a “true” family means. Now, I’m not one for romance movies but what I liked the most about this movie that the true focus wasn’t on the romance between a man and woman but a woman and a family.

When we first meet Yeon Woo in the beginning, during one of her cases of a rich college student client who is facing charges of rape and assault, she doesn’t exhibit the best in humans but the worse: greed, power, and total disregard for right and wrong. I cannot say that I felt much sorrow for her death but as this has comedic aspect, there were definitely moments of humor as she waited in what was the ‘purgatory’. The head angel realized the mistake and gave her chance to go back but the problem was, she couldn’t go back as herself. What follows is hour plus of fun and watching a total transformation of Yeon Woo from super lawyer to super Mom.

As you can expect, Uhm Jung-Hwa as Yeon Woo was simply fantastic! From the hardcore lawyer that used the shades of gray of the justice system to a mom who simply wanted to protect her children, she was a joy to watch.

Her interactions between Ha Roo and Ha-Neul were priceless! As she slowly morphed into the Mom was fun! Talk about a woman truly being a ‘fish out of water’ when it came to children! However, her handling of Ha-Neul’s situation with the boy at school will bring tears to your eyes as it was poignant and heart-wrenching. It was a nice turnaround from the previous scene at the beginning of the movie. It was at that moment that the total transformation of Yeon Woo occurred.
Song Seung-Heon as Sung-Hwan was a treat! I’ve always said that I prefer him in movies as I’ve yet watched a drama that I truly liked! I loved him as Sung-Hwan! He was a man who loved his wife unconditionally and a true father to his children. Wait, he was as silly as the children sometimes! He had great screen moments! Song Seung-Heon does comedy very well!

Song Seung-Heon with kids!! If you are wondering why he wants to get married now, watch this movie. His ease around the child actors. I hope he takes the lessons from Sung-Hwan and make as good of a father.

Scenes with Yeon-Woo and Sung-Hwan went from comedic to serious. Yeon-Woo had a hard time remaining unmoved by Sung-Hwan. Her sadness for him as well as the children because she knew what would happen in the future. But the acting together of these two was not only stellar but the chemistry together worked well on the screen. One thing for sure, you will go away loving this movie! I liked it from the beginning and I loved the ending as well. It was well written, acted, fun to watch and thought-provoking! As I like to say “Well worth the price of admission”!!

Trailer is available on on YouTube Website only. The movie is available on various streaming websites.

Tis the season to be jolly! We all celebrate different holidays during the course of December. We have Hanukkah, Christmas, Kwanzaa and even the start of Winter. But whatever you celebrate this season, know that I wish everyone happiness as we come to the end of the year! Blessing to all and as always, thanks for joining me here every week!

I’m available on Twitter. Thanks to all of you Twinkles out here who are taking the time to read! If you have a suggestion for a future review, just leave me a comment! I’m always happy to have movie suggestions.