Secret Sunshine ended up in my queue after I saw Chang-dong Lee’s Poetry, which I loved and actually was released after Secret Sunshine. Even though reading a cursory plot summary ruins a major plot twist that would be better left hidden, Secret Sunshine is still completely unpredictable in the way that the plot is executed. South Korea movies run emotional and visual circles around even the best American films. Secret Sunshine had echoes of a less twisted and non-misogynistic Lars von Trier-think a twist on Job with more denial. Secret Sunshine has some really interesting perspectives and portrayals of what a TRUE Christian is-some downright unflattering and others pathetic, but more authentic. Some aspects of the plot are lost in translation-are babysitters not usually used in South Korea, but a lot of subtle notes are struck even with how main characters treat tertiary characters and vice versa-perhaps a dash of the Good Samaritan. Secret Sunshine is nuanced portrayal of humanity in all its glories and nadirs. Not a must see if you absolutely can’t stand subtitles or hate unresolved dilemmas, but regardless, you should see Poetry-a little reading will do you good.