Byeon-ho-in

This movie was very meaningful, I enjoyed every minute. Amazing acting with an outstanding cast. This is a courtroom drama done right. Surely one of the best attorneys put on screen in the entire cinema history. This film doesn't disappoint.

I have to admit, of all the Korean films I have seen over the years, The Attorney has to be one of the most relateable internationally. Through this film, I was constantly reminded of our own injustices within the American system, specifically during the times when the U.S. was going after supposed communists. But the film goes beyond, carrying a huge heart and an intense drama, well portrayed by it's actors. While it starts slow, it turns into a riveting and surprising court drama.

The focus is on Song Woo-seok, an attorney who, for the sake of his family, seeks to gain money and prosperity as fast as possible. In turn, however, he tries to keep out of the growing political movement of the times and focus on property and tax law. However, this changes when the son of a friend is arrested and tortured as a suspected communist. His attention turns to exposing the corrupt laws and officials responsible.

The film starts off slowly, with the first hour or so spent focused on Song's journey to building his practice, his motivations for doing so, and the troubles he faces as he does this. This beginning part is almost wholly different from the latter half of the film. Song is mostly carefree, with his budding, successful practice, the love of his family, and his growing relationships with those around him. It's both touching and humorous in some instances, and Song Kang-ho is incredibly likable as the ambitious, but big hearted Woo-seok. He's easily identifiable in his reluctance to engage in the changing political atmosphere and his ambitions to be successful for his family's sake. It would have been easy to turn him into a greedy, cold lawyer, but he is far from so. So, it is only that much more enjoyable to see him tackle such an important subject in the latter half of the film.

At the same time, it is quite riveting and you genuinely fear for the safety and security of Song as he takes on an entire justice system. While there are many surprises, it is ultimately pleasant to see Song take such a stand against an unjust system. It is at this point that the film becomes a courtroom drama, with cinematography that moves and edits that ramp up the pacing. There is genuine intrigue as to how this underdog will take on the system, and even if he can win. I won't spoil the surprises, but I will say that the film does have a few. The ending could be debated, but it is very fitting for this story and I was left with a smile. I can honestly say I was incredibly pleased with this film. Last year, Korea delivered New World, and it ended up being my favorite film of the year. This year, I had the pleasure of watching this film, and I can easily say this may very well end up as high, or nearly as high, on my list as New World. I can't recommend this film enough.

In the languages of some tribes in Africa, there is no word "freedom" at all. They do not know what it means. People always say that the more a person lacks something, the more he publicizes it, so he has toilet paper such as representative, development concept and values. When the country around us reflects on the past, we are still drunk with money.

Watching this movie as an Indian audience The story of establishments targeting and branding a group of people is so relatable. History shows this has happened many times in different parts of the world and is still happening.

Excellent acting , superb script. Movie picks up pace after initial establishing of the lead characters. The last part is a thrilling courtroom drama.

Powered by another fantastic showcase from the ever-reliable Song Kang-ho, The Attorney is a riveting slice of South Korean history that brings an infamous incident to screen and delivers as a consistently captivating legal drama about an ambitious tax lawyer who decides to represent & defend a group of students arrested by the military regime on fabricated charges.

Co-written & directed by Yang Woo-suk in his directorial debut, the story first acquaints us with the titular character, the rise of his law firm and the events that ultimately lead to him taking up the notorious case. The other subplot depicts the human rights violations that was perpetrated by the military power during its rule before the two storylines clash & unravel in the court of law.

The non-linear narration has its hits n misses but it keeps the interest alive. The film starts as a light-hearted drama and takes its time to establish the protagonist which helps us invest in him despite his differing views which are then challenged & changed by the court proceedings. The performances are gripping, with Song adding another impressive work to his acting oeuvre and leads from the front.

Overall, The Attorney is a skilfully crafted & brilliantly acted historical account of South Korea's dark past that rides almost entirely on Song's fantastic input to steer past the finish line, and is by all means a promising start for its debutant director. Informative, enlightening & entertaining throughout, the film isn't as provocative or politically charged as it could've been but it delivers the desired goods with finesse.