Officially KMusic was given the special opportunity to review CJ Entertainment’s newest movie to hit the box office, “Miss Granny“.
Released in Korea on January 22 and already in select theaters in the United States, “Miss Granny” hosts an adorable cast who will have you laughing, crying and smiling in all the right places.
A body-swapping situation always makes for a good time for all. All you have to do is watch “Freaky Friday” or “Big” to see just how well this kind of switch-a-roo works. Well, “Miss Granny” takes the body swap and applies it to Oh-Mal Soon (played by Na Moon-Hee), our high spirited, sarcastic, say what is on her mind Granny. When she walked into the “Forever Young Photo Studio” I’m sure at the time she was probably thinking she would love to go back and do it all again but never thought for a second that she would ever have the chance. After having been dealt the blow of possibly ending up in a nursing home due to the fact her daughter-in-law was ill, Oh Mal Soon must have felt pretty low. The son,Hyun-Chul (played by Sung Dong-Il), she adored, the daughter-in-law, Ae-Ja (played by,Hwang Jung-Min), who never listened to her, the granddaughter, Ha-Na (played by, Kim Seul-Gi), that was just like her and the grandson, Ji-Ha (played by, B1A4’s own,Jin Young), she dotted on, all must have felt like traitors to the spunky Granny. After leaving the studio and chasing down the bus to the University, where she was meeting her grandson, she is still unaware at this time that any thing has changed. When she firsts gets hit on by Dragon (played by Kim Dong Hee) on the bus she chalks it up to young boys trying to play a trick on an old woman. It isn’t till she catches sight of herself in his sunglasses that things fall into place.
Enter our main lead, Oh Doo-ri, being played by Shim Eun Kyung who is still being talked about for her role in the 2011 blockbuster, “Sunny“. Shim Eun Kyung brings life to the character of “Oh Doo-ri” that is beyond adorable. From her walk, to her mannerisms, to her to over the top accent, Shim Eun Kyung makes “Oh Doo-ri” a character that is sure to be the talk of the town for years to come.
Upon realizing that she is now back in her 20’s, Oh Mal Soon decides to pick up her life where she left it before getting married. Though she finds it hard to get it straight exactly how old she is. She goes on a shopping spree and buys clothes suited for when she was actually 20, but some how makes it work. She hangs out at the seniors cafe causing all sorts of problems and even getting caught out by her long time admire, Mr Park (played by ,Park In-Hwan). When she decides to show up her long time rival, Ok-Ja ( played by,Park Hye-Jin) at the karaoke show things start to take off. Both, Seung Woo a PD for MCountdown (played by Lee Jin Wook) and her own grandson, Ji Ha, hear her sing and are mesmerized by her voice and the emotion she puts behind her singing. Both try to approach her, Seung Woo to have her join his singing show and Ji Ha to join his band as their lead singer.
Neither one of them are able to catch her at first and it isn’t till a chance meeting on the subway that Seung Woo has his chance to approach her. But of course being that this is a comedy he can’t approach and talk to her normally but instead turns into the neighbor hood peeping tom. As he stalks her home, thinking she doesn’t know he’s there, he comes around a corner only to find she’s gone. He panics and as he turns around he’s confronted by an angry fish wielding Oh Doo-ri. He tries to explain himself but things just go from bad to worst. As two local cops attend to their patrol, Oh Doo-ri waves them down screaming that Seung woo has assaulted her. The situation is perfectly hilarious and only becomes more so as the cops pull away with Seung Woo in the back seat and the hysterical young girl disappears in a blink to be replaced with a rather pleased with herself Oh Doo-Ri.
Ji Ha manages to find Oh Doo-Ri again and finally convinces her to join his band, though it isn’t until the band agrees to lose their very unfortunate rock inspired “KISS” stage look and sound. Once she does, it doesn’t take long to realize this is the exact opportunity she should grab. Watching Oh Doo-Ri perform with the band is one of those sweet moments. Even though the song’s are from an older era the words still touch people. Add in Oh Doo-Ri’s emotions behind the songs and everyone immediately falls in love with them.
Things start to get really crazy from that point with the band getting a chance to perform on MCountdown. Oh-Mal Soon’s family attempts to find her, the old beau attempting to win Oh Doo-Ri back. Ji Ha, having a crush on Oh Doo-Ri as well, watching him attempt to flirt with her and her treating him like he was still her grandson is just too funny for words. Seung Woo has also fallen for Oh Doo-Ri and her eccentric charms, and this time Oh Doo-Ri returns the feelings. Their conversations are some of the best and contend some of the best one liners in the movie.
The movie is full of moments of perfect hilarity, expected and unexpected. From the old beau trying to impress the now younger Oh Mal Soon with his kick ass upgrades to his motorbike, to Oh Doo Ri’s truthful confession of what she’s looking for in a husband to Seung Woo. All mixed in with touching moments sure to bring a tear to your eye. The flashbacks of the hardships Oh Mal Soon had in raising her son as well as the moment she takes to the stage to sing the song for her grandson, all had me reaching for the tissue box.
Seeing that the movie is trying to appeal to a wide range in it’s audience, most of the cast get ample time on screen to appeal to a larger diversity. Shim Eun Kyung isn’t the normal movie star, stick thin, runway ready actress but instead is a cute and healthy looking young woman. Add in both the good looks of idol Jin Young, who is making his movie debut and the more mature looks of Lee Jin Wook, as well as the diversity in the rest of the actors/actress’ and you have a cast that is sure to score high across the board.
The story definitely has a moral to it, live your life, no matter your age, to it’s fullest, and never regret. “Miss Granny” was a wonderful family film that is sure to appeal to a wide audience and I personally feel should see success in it’s American showing.
Source: CJ Entertainment
Article by: Angelspatience
Edited by: Alona
- Excited
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