In my attempt to branch out into foreign films, I recently watched a film entitled Our Sunhi. This South Korean film, which was directed by Hong Sang-soo, focuses on a recently graduated film student named Sunhi, played by Jung Yoo-mi. In an attempt to attend grad school in America, Sunhi implores one of her former professors to write her a letter of recommendation. In order to receive this letter, Sunhi begins to flirt with her professor, named Donghyun, who, in turn, begins to develop feelings towards Sunhi.
After meeting with her professor, Sunhi gets dinner with her ex boyfriend, Munsu. Although the feeling is not mutual, Sunhi finds that his interest in Sunhi is rekindled. Throughout the film, Munsu attempts to get Sunhi to reconsider dating him. In addition to the first two men, Sunhi is also pursued by Jaehak, a fellow film student and friend of Munsu. Jaehak too begins to fall for Sunhi and asked her on a date. What makes this love triangle especially interesting is that, despite having different perceptions of her, all three men believe they truly know Sunhi. Ultimately, Our Sunhi is as much about Sunhi's conflicting love interests as it is about her discovering her true identity.
Although I found the story very interesting, I particularly enjoyed the aesthetic aspects of Our Sunhi. Specifically, I enjoyed the extended use of medium two-shots throughout the film. In most modern films, directors tend to use lots of camera movements and fast paced editing in lieu of sitting on a prolonged two-shot. However, because Our Sunhi is dialogue driven, these types of shots add a sort of human dimension to the film. Instead of being reduced to faces, these actors are able to express emotions with their entire bodies and posture. In a way, it almost seems as if Hong Sang-soo seeks to make a statement about ones ability to make a quality film without using over-the-top camera movements.
This is a movie (or rather a 'trilogy') that I've wanted to bring up for some time now. I've always been a fan of foreign films, particularly Asian horror. However, this movie not only takes the cake, but the whole damn bakery.
Oldboy is the 2nd in a series of South Korean films referred to as The Vengeance Trilogy. From the mind of director Chan-wook Park, The Vengeance Trilogy are a series of films all connected not by characters or plot, but by one central, menacing theme: vengeance.
The other two movies are called Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, and Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, the former of these two being the better one, in my opinion. However, this post will focus on the middle child of the triplets that I mentioned earlier, entitled Oldboy.
Oldboy is the story of a man named Oh Dae-su, on his quest to find the man who has, for some inexplicable reason, imprisoned him for the last 15 years of his life. When he's released, he is given money, a phone, and clothes. While searching for answers, Oh-Dae su starts to put his pieces together and figures out that his kidnapper has much bigger, complex, and painful plans in store for him.
Without giving anything away, I will assure all readers that Oldboy is a FANTASTIC movie and a complete and utter mind f***. It received an 8.4/10 on IMDB, and is what I consider to be the best movie I have ever seen.
While Oldboy definitely satiates my desire for graphic horror, gore in some places, and twisted plot lines, it goes above and beyond your typical thriller/horror flick. Oldboy connects the audience to the protagonist better than I've ever seen. The audience is just as much in the dark about what is going on in the story as Oh Dae-su is, and as a viewer, it draws you in like no other. The cinematography is utterly phenomenal, with a fight scene taking place in a hallway that is, in some reviews I've read, being dubbed as a "classic" fight scene (I'll post the link to it down at the bottom). Min-sik Choi is a fantastic Korean actor who puts on a beautiful performance as Oh Dae-su. Simply put, I cannot think of a single thing that is wrong with this movie. Every single aspect of it functions to tie together the story being told and, at the very end when the big reveal of the plot is made, leaves the viewer saying, "Holy crap, that was amazing".
I have watched this film about 3 times and enjoy it more and more every time I watch it. It is my favorite movie of all time and I recommend it to ANYONE who wants to see how a good thriller is made. Go on Netflix right now and watch Oldboy. You may have to look away and you may be uncomfortable at times, but I guarantee you will not regret watching this movie.
It's also got one of the best quotes from a poem ever. Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone.
Here's the trailer, and the fight scene I mentioned earlier. Thanks ya'll.
