This is a very warm and poetic film. It's about a mother's relationship with her autistic son and her insecurities regarding him, about his desire to run a marathon and how that relates to his relationship with his mother, and about how his running coach inadvertently helps to bring them together. It is one of the most touching films I have seen in many years. Some people have compared it to Rain Man, but that's a comparison which does not stand. Firstly, the selfishness of Tom Cruise character and Dustin Hoffman's overacting make Rain Man a far less touching film because the characters are far less sympathetic. There is also the crucial difference in that in Rain Man the Tom Cruise character really had no interest in his autistic brother and did not wish to really have any type of relationship with him. In Marathon, however, the whole film is about the problems the mother has precisely because she wants to have a relationship with her son. It is this dilemma (the wanting to have a relationship and not really being able to do it) which makes the film so interesting and touching.Furthermore the acting is very good, the cinematography is rich but not overdone, the music is very good at emphasising the poignancy of particular situations and the film has a wonderful pace: neither too fast nor too slow. All in all a very enjoyable film highly recommended for anyone who wants to smile, laugh, cry and generally feel happy.

I saw this film on a recent trip to Korea and was absolutely blown away! I'm still thinking about it and trying to get my hands on a copy. Seung Woo Cho's portrayal of an autistic boy whose mother encourages him to start running is brilliant and heartbreaking. The film accurately illustrates the social and private difficulties for people with autism and their families. Based on a true story, you can't help but fall in love with this boy because he's so pure-hearted and misunderstood by everyone, even his own family members. His mother even questions her feelings about him, which is something rarely shown in films. Despite the odds, he becomes a champion without meaning to or wanting to, and by the end of the film you are in awe of what this person accomplished. Everyone should see this film and experience the joy and agony. Korean cinema has never been so poignant! Just a warning--you might want to keep a box of tissues beside you, especially for the second half of the film. If you see one foreign film this year, please make it this one!

Jeong Yun Cheol's directorial debut 'marathon' will be without a doubt one of the best feel-good movies coming out of the South-Korea cinema this year.This moving human drama stars Cho Seung Woo who portrays a twenty year old autistic man with a passion for running with brilliance . Encouraged by his mother played by actress Kim Mi Sook , Cho Won begins to participate in local races,all in preparation for the ultimate goal 'The marathon'.To achieve her goals the mother approaches an ex-marathon runner (played by Lee kim young) who fel out of grace, to coach her autistic son and help him achieve this life-goal.Director cheol gives us a wonderful story with some 'jungle' symbolism ,and subtle humor about an autistic man who is trapped in his own world.A coach who finds back some dignity in his pupil.A mother that suffers because her child is not like the others.A brother who feels neglected by his mother,and an absent father who watches everything from a distance. At the end you can't stop but admire this movie, and it's strong cast and rave about actor Cho Seung Woo brilliant performance that will even inspire the non-autistic people to achieve theire life-goals.

Korea is definitely the most interesting movie producer for the time being (and will probably expand even more in the future!), they keep pumping out masterpiece after masterpiece in all different genres recently (taegukgi, my sassy girl, old boy, memories of murder someone?). And this time a hearth warming story about a autistic boy called Cho-won who loves running more than anything. I wont in detail go through the story, you simply have to experience it yourself. But i can say as much as this movie contains everything which makes a movie in this genre good. You will laugh, you will cry, you will get that warm feeling inside your spine. RUN and watch this! You wont regret it. Go! Go! GO Korea!