Gongbeom

Anything (almost) that Son Ye Jin does is good. This thriller about a daughter who suspects her devoted father is a kidnapper in an old case. Things move quickly and you are kept guessing if and why. There is a good explanation and conclusive ending so you won't feel let down. Worth a watch.

Daughter thinks Daddy is a monetarily driven, kidnapping child killer. While this may not be a fresh plot, this was a decent movie. It was filmed well and I felt the acting was a bit shaky but it wasn't so bad that it couldn't be overlooked. My gripes are few. I wish it could've had more suspense or darker tone for the main character. When I watch a "thriller" I want to be on the edge of my seat and this just never met that mark. I thought that it was a bit better than average but it's a movie that I'll most likely forget.

An interesting premise that fails to live up to its promise. There are plot holes, which I will not comment on, but meant that I did not enjoy the movie as much as I wanted to. I found it interesting that I simply never could decide if the father was or was not the kidnapper and killer. Like others, I felt the last few minutes seemed a little contrived. These didn't ring true to me and that's why I have to give a lower rating. As too often happens with Korean movies, the police are not exactly covered in glory here. I'm not sure how I feel about the final twist either. Was this really necessary?

Although it might not be very original but the thriller concept of how blood relation might overcome conscience and common sense is still a fine concept, it's just in that matter, Gongbeom stands in a gray area. If it was to emphasize on drama, it lacks character digging and believable motive along the storyline. If it was to emphasize on thriller, it lacks suspense and shove up the climax too harshly and inconveniently that it felt so cheap by the end.

The story will left the viewer many questionable logic flaws here and there, which is inevitable in order to keep the story going. There were time I have to admit some tension was flowing and put hope that it better have a punchline which would turn the movie into a powerful thriller, but it never delivered. And aside from the two main characters of father and daughter, all the other supporting characters seem to hold little to no value and make a very non-essential existence. All in all point is taken, it's a fine movie only could and should be better executed.

The Korean thrillers are the best, I can always pick them whenever I feel I want to be entertained. It was directed by a newcomer, but two well known faces interested me. 'The Classic' and 'The Last Blossom' are my favourites and now they are together for this, but a different genre. I think the story was great, but there's something lacking like the thrilling parts which is not as electrified again the concept the film had. You know it has some nervous moments, but not up to the mark if you compare it with other Korean thrillers you have seen.

It was the tale of a young woman Da Eun who happily living with her father. The real moments of the film begin when she went to a film that based on the real event and soon she develops some doubts. Since she's a pursuing journalism, starts to dig it while the case is about to expire very soon. But what she finds and how it affects her life is the rest of the film where the pace keeps increasing till the final scene.

Like I said it was based on an awesome idea, but should have developed better. Even though it falls short to get the viewers' appreciation, not doubt it was well executed with the brilliant performances. Except it fails to detail the important event of the film where all the puzzle created which is actually a flashback and supposed to be the twist. So I think the climax was a bit cliché, but a decent solution, overall not a bad film as it was considered by others. Once watchable and instantly forgettable.

6.5/10