A Brighter Summer Day (1991)

[DVD Phreak]

Originally Posted by Ray Jackson

The girl's romantic magnetism pulling in multiple suitors is one of the central story lines in the film. The idea that her level of physical attractiveness is irrelevant in that context is absurd. That being said, I listed that as one of three qualities I felt she was lacking, along with charm and charisma.

So the idea that I was scrutinizing the character merely based on her appearance is simply not accurate.

Her positive attitude?

Sorry, but I don't find stringing that many boys along to be all that positive.

...I think it's a bit cold.

But these are not your ordinary everybody people you see in the film. This is a different world in a different time. Ming is a simple, uncomplicated, unworldly girl, and the RIGHT actress with the right look was cast. In the movie, we DO see other women using their physical attractiveness or some other baser methods to lure guys, and the movie seems to see them as lower forms of attraction. Ming's attraction is clearly depicted as something loftier and more idealistic, and I don't see how it could escape you. The film clearly wants to say that men from all walks of life, be they gangsters, teachers, teenagers, etc., all seem to yearn for the same things in a companion/girlfriend/friend.

But we certainly learn something about you, don't we. You and your belief of what attraction should be.