MARATHON (2005)

I have never, in my life, had an experience that moved me as much as watching Marathon.  Writing this, even just looking at the poster causes my heart to overflow all over again, thudding in my chest.  Based on a true story, Cho Seung-woo - in an Oscar-worthy performance you have to see to believe - stars as Cho-won, a young man born with autism who only seems to find his center of calm in running.  His mother, a force to be reckoned with who has always been there for Cho-won (even at the expense, at times, of her husband and Cho-won's younger brother), signs him up for a big marathon, and to prepare him for it harasses an ex-marathon winner, doing community service for a DUI, into being his coach.  Simple yet profound, heartbreaking and indescribably life-affirming, again I have never experienced anything as magical and one-of-a-kind as Marathon - in film, or in real life.  It's a movie that reaches into your heart and wraps it up like a gift from God. (not rated)  A++

MARATHON (full movie!)