Rough cut

This is a fantastic Korean film that deserves the widest audience possible. Not an action flick, but more a gangster movie crossed with a showbiz black comedy topped off with that special kind of pathos that only Asian films know how to do. I wouldn't be surprised at all to see Hollywood remake this with people like Christian Bale and Mark Wahlberg or something like that. You owe it to yourself to check this out as soon as you have the means to do so. A colossal jerk of a movie star named Soo-ta can't get anyone to act opposite him in his latest movie because he beat the crap out of the last two actors and the media is having a field day with it. Plus, he has a girlfriend who he refuses to take out in public and has sex with her in a van down by the river. His agent is fed up with him and a scandal is bound to rear its ugly head any day now. Enter Kang-pae, a vicious gangster who loves movies. After an awkward run-in at a club with both their entourages in tow, Soo-ta gets the bright idea to cast him as the other actor. He agrees and everyone is so desperate to shoot, they go along with it. The only problem is that Kang-pae fights for real. That means Soo-ta needs to get tough quick if he's to win the final fight hes scripted to win - but now he has to do it for real! There's a lot more to the movie than that and its a joy to go along for the ride. It was refreshing and had me laughing and smiling while caring about the characters all the way through. Highly recommended!

Billed as an action movie by trailers, and occasionally funny, Rough Cut is a complex drama playing out underneath an amusing premise.

The two leads share great chemistry and rivalry but manage to avoid a lot of the stereotypes and clichés for buddy action/comedies. The actor must negotiate a deteriorating private and public life while learning how to be less of an ass; the gangster's journey is perhaps more enigmatic and very thought provoking. His trajectory isn't what you'd expect from Hollywood cinema.

The two characters have their own distinct lives, which are interwoven mostly through their commitment to the film, which punctuates the ending with what may be the only major full action scene. (and it's plenty visceral to behold) This movie is easy to get into, but deep enough to truly reflect on. It's a little gem of entertainment.

I saw this movie quite a few times and I just can't have enough of it! I can't quite tell what it's so nice about this movie....just everything I guess. Well played, strong characters, not excessive like American movies and psychological. I will not give spoilers to this one because you'll have to discover on your own. Nobody like people who already start talking about the end when you never saw for yourself the movie... Just watch it!! Normally I love only horror movies, but this is a real good and I mean a real good action movie, wheel worth your time watching it!

Watch it you'll not regret it!

Hard to describe this movie in a foreign language. You can read the other reviews for details, i believe that their descriptions are right. All i can say is that this movie is a strange movie, strange in a remarkable way. Kim Ki Duk has written the script, don't expect something heavy or depressing, expect a modern film noir(?) and some terrific performances from the actors. (The actor who plays the gangster gives one of the best performances i have seen recently). If you want to know some similar movies, i will not be able to help you, because, movies like this, are a genre of their own. I wonder in how many ways, Hollywood would destroy Kim Ki Duk's script: Τhis is not a comedy, this is not a gangster film, this is not a drama nor an action film, but it manages to combine all these and make something new. I am looking forward to watch his new movie, Pieta.

PS I haven't mentioned the director and this is not fair because he also did a great work.For sure,i will search for his other movies.

The story revolves around a egoistic rising star and a gangster who who is trying to get his boss out of jail. There path eventually cross and end up disliking each other, but the situation the actor is in makes him ask the gangster to co-star in the film with him. The Gangster agree, but in one condition, they fight for real on camera.

The character that stood out the most for me was Ji-seob So role and acting, he really does show off all his charms from him looking threatening without speaking a word while being in calm composure. While Ji-Hwan Kang did the best he can with the role he is given, unfortunately Su-hyeon Hong was just a pretty face in the movie. Watching the movie making process from the two somewhat of a rival was intriguing to watch. There is some thrown in this movie which I thought was unnecessary, but this was mostly character driven film. Even if the plot might not be solid as it should be, it is still a intriguing film to watch and is worth the time.

7/10