Watch My Way

My Way is a 2012 war drama film directed by Kang Je-gyu. The story follows the life of two men, Jun-shik Kim and Tatsuo Hasegawa who are forced to fight on opposite sides during the Second World War. It is a heartfelt story about fate and friendship, and the lengths to which two men will go to protect each other. The movie begins in 1920s Korea, where Jun-shik and Tatsuo meet as children. Despite their different personalities - Jun-shik is a passionate runner and Tatsuo appears to be more reserved - they strike up an unlikely friendship. But their idyllic childhood comes to an abrupt end when Japan annexes Korea and Tatsuo returns to Japan, leaving Jun-shik behind to labor in the coal mines.

When war breaks out, both Jun-shik and Tatsuo are conscripted into their respective armies- Jun-shik into the Korean independence army and Tatsuo into the Japanese Imperial Army. The story follows their journeys through the war, as they are separated again and again only to keep finding each other.

The war segments of the movie are beautifully shot and skillfully choreographed, depicting the brutal reality of war with breathtaking accuracy. The viewer is confronted with some intense and often gory scenes, showing just how far soldiers would go to survive the unforgiving war.

As the war progresses, Jun-shik is captured by the Soviets and sent to a prison camp, where he meets other soldiers captured during the war. The prisoners are forced to run in a marathon, ultimately leading to their freedom. The marathon sequence is one of the most emotional scenes in the movie, as Jun-shik puts his own life at risk to help his fellow soldiers cross the finish line.

Throughout their separate journeys, Jun-shik and Tatsuo continue to cross paths, leading to various interactions that demonstrate the deep bond between the two men. They often put their own lives on the line for the other, showing that their childhood friendship has evolved into a powerful loyalty that even the horrors of war cannot break.

The movie is beautifully written and expertly executed, depicting the intense pain of fighting a war, and the faith in humanity at the core of friendship. The performances of Jamie Adler, Steven Adler, and Annika Alliksoo, who portray Jun-shik, Tatsuo, and the love interest respectively, are top-notch, and the cinematography is striking.

The film highlights how war can destroy everything in its path, including the bonds of friendship; yet, it also reminds us that sometimes the deepest relationships can withstand the most catastrophic circumstances. Overall, My Way is an emotional and powerful movie that leaves a lasting impact on its viewers.

My Way is a 2012 adventure movie with a runtime of 1 hour and 32 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.6.