achi_oragvelidze

This is the first time I'm writing a negative review on IMDb and as you can see, I am terribly disappointed.

This might be one of the worst films I've ever seen in my entire life. A perfect example of an absolute trash. It seems, that the director's biological limitations have rendered him incapable of thinking as a decent human; Someone has to apologize on his behalf, for being dealt such a hand. Sadly, it does not end there. He came up with a terrible idea:

"I'd love to make movies!".

I agree, that I'm compromised enough to be unable to speak objectively over this matter, but some of the facts must be mentioned.

First of all, imagery and technical parts of the film are quite good. Even beautiful I must say. I really liked the part, where the main character buys high amounts of mineral water, only to replace said water with VODKA. (Or whatever you call it.) The scene keeps repeating in a grim way. One of the best portrayals of depressive apathy. It was very inspiring and beautiful.

Presentation is eerie enough to keep you interested and sadly, that might be the worst part of the movie. Story-wise it is so "girl-ish" and compromised, that I swear it was almost unbearable to sit through. Some of the scenes made me feel so awkward, that I could not help myself but think about stopping it. Overly melodramatic, intimate, sick and disgusting relationships which are presented in a sexually curious, but at the same time ruptured teenager's suicidal "emo-vomitting" of a spectrum, were too much for me.

The film tries to set you on an empathetic accord towards the little girl, and in a way it manages to do it, but it is at the cost of spitting you in the face: I guarantee you will feel both awkward and insulted after watching this abomination.

Bae Doona and Sae-Ron Kim were cool/OK. Truth be told, I've never liked Doona. At all. But this time she did really well. Well, at least she was likable for me. Mostly, actors in Korean films are better than average. This case is not an exception. Too bad that the story was so unbearably sick that performances just happen to add up to the horror. Keep in mind, this is not a failure of a film. I am pretty sure that it managed to do what was initially planned, but sadly the planning part is the main atrocity here.

If you want to see an unconventional film, with disgusting and sick characters who's existences are not justified, but rather disfigured in this gigantic mass of stupid sexual awkwardness, sadness and idiotic presentations of "valued empathy"; If you want to see a movie, where subjective ideals of a retarded scriptwriter transform into "undeniable" but at the same time disabled, illogical and irritatingly childish truth; If you want to see a piece, which is atmospherically psychopathic, yet unimaginably blatant and elective, then watch this utter trash.

Though, I wholeheartedly suggest to never even think of viewing this insult of a movie.

It is very hard to review this film and trust me, it is even harder to stay calm while it lasts... Urge to either correct, or punish some atrocious acts by the characters was so strong, that I felt irritated during the movie... I guess it is a good thing.

As you could have guessed, this is a very intense tragedy, (not the contemporary meaning of the word.) which tries to justify some unimaginably inhuman acts by the characters. That being said, I was surprised to realize that in the end, story makes sure to leave no room for such "justifications" whatsoever.

Some of the themes might look familiar to the viewer.

Listed:

Life is hard; Two sisters; Mentally challenged father; Complete a**hole of an uncle; A dream.

Generic eh? NOT QUITE. It's the opposite! Not sure how Mr. Sang-woo Lee achieved this, but I don't think that the same effect can be experienced elsewhere.

Acting and story are superb. While the film is slow and lighthearted, it still keeps on to the idea of punching the viewer in the face, and for me it happened in a very theatrical manner.

The thing is that, both the imagery and the story are very humane, slightly beautiful and immensely simple. I am pretty sure that the most horrifying, unbearable and mildly disgusting part of it, is the fact that it's VERY VERY

SIMPLE.

Cinematography compliments the mood perfectly. While mostly it's generic "daily life" shots, there are moments which are so graphical, (I don't mean violence) that somehow i got the feeling that the operator was mocking the viewer.

In the end, I feel that this might be one of the best movies in its genre (if such exists). Shove the melodrama aside, prepare to be violently gutted, and enjoy the pure awesomeness of a human behavior which is called: "I am not human anymore."

Definite recommend for everyone who wants to see something original in a simplistic, and almost theatrical way.

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+10 for Lee cheon-hee, actor who plays the role of an uncle guy.

It appears that, surfing through the styles and methods of cinematography mostly end up as either disgusting, or shallow. It is most entertaining in a way to see some amazing ideas disgruntled by those so called "innovations"... This one though... Well I've never seen anything like this before. It is very refreshing.

Truth be told, i review movies on IMDb only when i feel other people left something out, and in this case, users are not the only ones. It is amazing how little does the imagery and marketing of this film help people like the movie. In my case, (considering that i was not familiar with Chen Kaige at all.) the poster almost made me skip this one out. (it is really really retarded.) Though i'm glad i did not.

The story of the movie is VERY VERY VERY unique. I'm sure that this kind of storytelling is nowhere else to be found. Though the plot is very complex and filled with "hidden" symbolism, the flow of the movie is lighthearted, easygoing and even "eye candy/entertaining"... But don't let it fool you. There is a gigantic drama hidden beneath those "sweets", which perfectly manages to hit you like a loaded truck... Given the fact that the film is about emotions, love and personal attitudes, it is BEYOND belief, how the hell did Mr Chen manage to NOT turn this into a mainstream "DOLLY" trash. The story in the beginning is very simple, but you will be amazed how brutal and complex it gets with seemingly "little things" in the end...

Actors and actresses are selected well. Their actual "greatness" comes not from their "heavy" and dramatic moments, but in an "overall" characteristics which are stretched through some crazy salad of coincidences and hidden "fate" element. Deep character study indeed, it just shows very little of that "depth", thus making it even more enigmatic.

The only thing i did not like in the movie was music, which did not stand out at all. (except for some parts which were total ripoff of some famous musical scores) but later i realized that it fits very well. I might be compromised by the story in a way that i am not critical towards the other aspects anymore, but i felt like mentioning all this.

I am not gonna comment on camera work and other technical matters for some obvious reasons.

I most proudly advise ANYONE who loves complex yet simple movies to see this one. Do not follow the steps of those who were blown away by ridiculous marketing and promotions of this film. This is a wonderful movie with a powerful message, which will most likely MAKE you remember itself.