Saibi

I like animated films and have watched far more than my share. So, I was thrilled to see this film. However, I was actually ill-prepared to watch "The Fake", as it turned out absolutely nothing like I expected. I'm used to 'nice' Korean animation, like the amazingly adorable "Doggy Poo" (seriously...this is a charming and sweet film about, well, doggy poo that is well worth seeing) as well as many American cartoons like "The Fairy Odd Parents" and "The Simpsons" which are actually animated in South Korea. In some ways this is good, as the film is incredibly original and breaks this predictable pattern in order to make something unique--and I love unique. However, on the other hand, it's so incredibly dark and bleak that it probably only has a rather limited audience. By comparison, the legendary Japanese anime, "Akira", is practically a Disney film--it's THAT dark! Very, very rough language which Influx most likely will NOT let me put in my review, several incredibly vicious murders, a dog getting its brains bashed in with a hammer, sex and nudity, the profuse use of the word 'retard' (which made me cringe), prostitution and a strongly anti-church bent are just part of what you'll experience with this film--making is the darkest and most cynical cartoon I have ever seen.

When the film begins, an evangelist and his publicist are on a crusade in a small town. While the preacher seems pretty sincere, he doesn't realize that the publicist is a wanted swindler--a man who is ready, willing and able to commit any sin in order to get what he wants out of life. Oddly, the only one in town who seems to realize that the church is a sham is Min- chul. But Min-chul is no hero--he's every bit as violent and awful as the publicist and his gang of hired thugs, so Min-chul's desire to bring down this ministry and expose them as hypocrites is a personal grudge--an unreasoning, vicious and sadistic one at that. Through most of the film, you have no idea who is going to die by the end of the film, but you know SOMEONE will! In fact, many will die--several of which will be hacked to death. But it's not all Min-chul's doing, as by the end of the film practically everyone is killing each other--even the seemingly sincere evangelist!

As you can probably guess, this is NOT the sort of film to show your kids. Heck, many adults might also want to avoid it due to its violence, language and messages about Christianity. Don't say I didn't warn you! However, the film is not without merits. Although the film's message was dark and cynical, I could sure respect it for being so daring. The filmmaker, Yeun Sang-ho, obviously wasn't courting popular opinion and a mass-market with this film--it's clearly his own personal vision. Additionally, while I wasn't completely in love with the animation (it was blockier and less fluid than its Japanese and American competition), the color palette is striking with its use of subdued colors and earth tones. However, I cannot ignore that the film's characters are far from subtle. Min-chul is actually rather ridiculous because you cannot imagine anyone THIS violent (he beats people up in front of cops and even beats the cops up as well) and awful. Additionally, and I don't blame the filmmakers for this one, the quality of the subtitling is only fair to average.

The bottom line is that if you are looking for something very different and are not put off by the violence and other adult content plus you are not offended by the, you may well enjoy The Fake. Others, however, might want to think twice, as the film is sure to offend your sensibilities--and it surely intends to do this.

This is a movie that may offend a lot of viewers, but I could understand where the director is coming from to a certain degree. Yeon Sang-ho seems to take certain negative aspects about real life and sort of blows it out of proportion. And gives a really tormenting and bleak perspective on these negative real life situations. His first film was about school bullying. And this one is about a cynical religious con to trick the villagers out of there money, with the promise of them going to heaven. And it's up to a very very dislikable main character to try and prove that the villagers are being tricked. It's good to root for the cause of showing the truth to the villagers. But the main character is almost as dislikable as the people who are in on the con. The plot revolves around manipulation, trickery and cynical elements. The movie can be appalling at times, like how the characters get tricked into such nonsense that has "you are being conned" all over it. But again this is something that actually happens in real life. The message I think was to show how even something positive can be twisted into something very horrible. However, I just didn't find this movie intense or hits the core and just goes in a bleak, somewhat nihilistic and depressing direction with it all. I could tell where the director was trying to go, but the execution was just poorly contructed. None of the characters are likable at all in this film. With characters being either malicious, brutish and cynical to being way too dumb and submissive. Overall, this just came off as a depressing movie that has more weakness than strengths.

6.5/10

This Korean animation is pure genius. It shows the farce man-made religion is and how easily people are fooled by religious leaders who are not what they preach. Shows how blinded the mass is while ignoring all the telltale signals they are following a con artist. This movie has elements similar to the movie, "There will be blood". The ending is equally satisfying.

Also, there is ample character development throughout the movie. I think this is amazing given that it is not acted but is pure animation. I would like to see a movie version of this Korean animation, as it would be a blockbuster, in my opinion...but then, maybe not, as many are still blinded by religion.

This animation also shows how the worst of humanity often targets those who are in their weakest position - the financially troubled, the sick, and the hopeless. Similar to how in the wild, hyenas will often attack the sick and the injured.

This South Korean anime does not make for easy viewing, it's dark, depressing and bleak yet at the very same time has moments of pure genius.

Telling the story of a man newly out of prison who returns home to discover his town are under the spell of a corrupt pastor and are being financially milked dry by them.

Is this the hero the town needs though? Absolutely not. In fact herein lies the films biggest issue, there are no likable characters throughout. From a drunk woman beater to a conman to a pedophile all flanked by an army of brainwashed gullible fools. So we find ourselves watching a film with nobody to root for, nobody to get behind.

The movies portrayal of religion is perfect and quite inspired, it identifies how it gets under peoples skin with promises of great things yet identifies the damage it does while those peddling the fictional wares reap the benefits.

You don't expect anything from Korea to be cheery and this sure as hell isn't, but it's watchable and quite gripping especially near the end.