If growing up and the pain of a divided nation are the themes of Scent of Love and Until We Meet, L′Amour concerns morality and faith, two agents required to persevere through such situations. Lee Doo-Yong, who diversified Korean cinema in the 70′s and 80′s with films of various genres, finds the key to those agents in the love of an old couple ignored by society. The hard life of a dishonorably discharged general and his wife worsens with their son′s bankruptcy, and they are forced to live at an old-folk′s home. In their brief remaining time together, the couple reaffirms their love. It′s a simple story, yet with strong emotional power. Playing the elderly couple, NamGoong Won and Lee Kyung-Hee give first-rate performances that reaffirm their status as decorated veterans of Korean cinema. Lee Do0-Yong′s direction is in top-notch form, as he brews a warm drama with years′ depth in his skilled hands. The film′s soundtrack and extensive narration may seem outdated in today′s cinema. Still, the movie overcomes such obstacles and warms the audiences′ brittle hearts. That is why the image of the general, guarding over his dead wife′s body, delivers such sorrow. Through the death of these two, Lee Doo-Yong speaks of the end of morality and faith. L′Amour is a requiem lamenting human values and, at the same time, a sharp criticism of today′s heartless society. (Kwon Yong-Min)