The Sympathizer

I do not write many reviews, usually when I am really blown away or feel that a movie or show is treated/viewed unfair or too harsh.

When I read about the book "the sympathizer" was being adapted into a mini series, it was thrilling. It was a great read and kept me awake for a few nights.

Episode 1 of the tv show was okay, followed by two serious letdowns. The fourth episode made up for it in certain aspects, somehow it was a parody on a previous parody, starring Robert Downey Jr, named "Tropic Thunder". Coming to that actor, is where I personally see the whole problem with the sympathizer show. It appears to be a vanity project for Iron Man. He takes on multiple roles but excells in none, aside from the weird movie director. Neither his CIA spook nor the cultural sucker professor are well done.

So, why even give it a five out of ten? For the 1st and 4th episode, for it being a show set in cool locations and including dark moments in history. Overall tho, I have to force myself to keep on watching, not looking forward to soak up the next episode.

I had hopes for this show especially with Park Chan Wook involved. It was interesting to see RDJ play different roles but no one would be surprised with his versatility in acting skills. The show started off decent but felt the show just wasn't executed in the best way possible. The story felt dragged out each episode with only a seven episode count and although it was nice to see some Asian representation, I just didn't care much for any of the characters. They might've been better off with doing a 2 hour movie. The satire tone worked on some parts but really was overdone throughout the show. I expected something more to keep me engaged and feel some type of emotional attachment but it never delivered. Considering that Hoa Xuande was playing a Vietnamese communist spy, I wanted to see more scenes that made you want to empathize more for the character so by the time the ending came, you'd feel satisfied with the outcome of his character.

People expect serious tv series like Band of Brothers, Chernobyl, Shogun or The Last of Us. But this is Edgar Wright's style comedy but tv show. Funny, Engaging, Interesting and Good Acting. This is better Comedy than F. R. I. EN. D. S or Oscar bait serious WAR movies like Saving Private Ryan, Hacksaw Ridge and 1917 which are overrated. People's imagination go War movies or series not serious low rating. If you like What We do in the Shows, Tropic Thunder, Scott Pilgrim Vs. The World, or any Edgar Wright's Movies like I did You will have a Wonderful time and have a Fun watching the show unless if you are expecting serious war TV show.

The first and second episode got me get up on my feet and applause at the end credit when nobody's even looking. Interesting and intelligent at the same time. Historical and very well researched on that time but snazzy at the same time. A story within a story organization is freaking genius The external narrative is The Captain in the reeducation camp, and the inner narrative is his experience as a spy from around the fall of Saigon to new (but not very new) life in America. Because he's telling the story in front of a guard, how far is the inner narrative true? The audience experiences 'the war of memory' second handedly because the captain might restart, recollect, and reeducate.

It's not just about the story. It also feels like I'm watching the theater within the series. The first interrogation scene on the stage with the lighting makes another frame within frame. A fictional film 'The Hamlet' in Episode 4 is played like a movie within a series as well. Like there is no camera rolling, it changes the screen ratio for 'The Hamlet'. Again, frame within a frame. Park knows how to use the screen to the fullest.

However, from episode 3, 'Sympathizer' becomes loose and flabby. Park's direction is sometimes for the sake of the direction itself. It shows off and screams 'I'm such a good director', and has nothing to do with connecting with the audience. His direction does not make the story fuller or the message louder. It's just artsy. And, what is the purpose of Downey Jr. Taking four roles? He was not even that good, and it was ineffective and inefficient, adding just confusion. Hoa Xuande, on the contrary, is a newly discovered talent. He succeeds in not losing wit and humor in serious situations. His acting is on point especially in the black comedy.

Didn't quite live up to the massive expectations I had from an HBO and A24 co-production, but it's still better than a lot of miniseries you'll watch.

The Sympathizer is all about perspective. A Vietnamese perspective of the events. A Communist perspective of the events. Something that is absent from the Hollywood productions about the war.

The complex politics of Vietnam War told by our lead, two-faced spy, and unreliable narrator, the Captain. Hoa Xuande gives an absolutely great performance in this role, supported by Oscar winner, Robert Downey Jr in multiple roles.

As I haven't read the original novel, I cannot judge this show as an adaptation. But, the writing and story deserves a lot of praise. Doesn't take sides and criticises both parties of the war along with the American influence. According to writer's own words, he understood "how the revolution had gone from being the vanguard of political change to the rearguard hoarding power".

PCW's direction in the first 3 episodes is great, as expected. His style, especially in the editing choices, is absent from the rest of the episodes. It also has a bit of pacing issue for which I couldn't engage with the plot as I would have loved to. That's why I am not rating it any higher. But I loved the ending, and the finale was my favourite episode.