A Menina do Guarda-Volume

Being a big fan of Asian cinema, I did of course jump at the chance to watch "Coin Locker Girl" (aka "Cha-i-na-ta-un") when I was given the chance. Especially so since the South Korean cinema tends to pump out some really interesting and entertaining movies.

"Coin Locker Girl" was no different. This was definitely entertainment of the higher end. Not just because it is a South Korean movie, but because of the storyline, the pacing of the movie, and some very interesting and in-depth characters that you immediately took a liking or disliking to.

This particular movie has a lot to offer the audience, ranging from some very interesting character development and growth, to action and brutal violence, and also to the more subtle drama and superbly acted out portrayal of the characters.

Go-eun Kim, playing Il-Young, really carried the movie phenomenally with her performance. As did Hye-su Kim, playing Mom. It was a shame that the mom character didn't have more on-screen time, because I felt that her story was not even half-way presented throughout the movie.

Even if you are not a particular fan of the South Korean cinema, then "Coin Locker Girl" is the type of movie that you should take the time to sit down and watch.

Characters are interesting and believable. The storyline is also interesting and, although I've never been part of a loan shark operation, what happens in the story makes sense and is also believable.

The movie kept my interest throughout and I was definitely rooting for the main character, who definitely had more than her fair share of hardship and misery in her life.

Although she's a loan shark gang member, her basic humanity shows throughout and made me like and sympathize with her. She was fundamentally decent and human, in a good way, throughout the movie.

Strong ensemble cast also helped establish the believability and credibility of the characters.

One of the best movies I've seen in a while.

The story is about an orphaned girl and an evil loan shark woman, and how she tries to survive in a world without love and full of murder.

This movie was hard to watch for me. One scene in particular is so cruel and bloody that I had to stop and take a break to continue. I am still thinking about the movie which for me is a sign of a good movie, and would very much like to discuss it with an English speaking Korean, because it was difficult to understand with just the English translation. I review few movies but this one definitely deserves a 10. I will watch it again if I ever get the chance. The acting from Go-eun Kim is excellent. You can understand her feelings just by looking at her eyes and face. Translations aren't necessary. Mother, played by Hye-su Kim, is also very good, and I wouldn't be at all surprised to see both nominated for some award.

Although this is not horror, I saw this film during a horror festival. Their idea was to introduce "horror" that was more related to crime/violence, rather than real horror. Was it a success? Yes. I usually lack words to describe what I like about films, especially when I really like them. I wanted this film to be good but I thought it would end up being a normal film - I was wrong. The acting was really good (from main to secondary characters), the crudeness of a life of crime was very clear, the confusion of the main character when facing a clarity that wasn't there before was heartbreaking and your heart will shrink and shrink an shrink as the story goes on. This is not a pretty story and it's not embellished. This is about a girl who was brought to a life of crime, dealing with lack of love and working to survive. It's a film about a human being that is trying to find her spot in this world of horror - horror done simply by people who are just evil.

As a last note, I would also like to add, since this is a Korean film, I was worried my friends wouldn't enjoy it (since a lot of times cultural differences are plastered in the films but unless you understand those differences you won't be truly able to appreciate the work before you), but they actually did. If you want to introduce yourself to Korean films (and if you like action and violence), this is a really good film. If you know something about Korean culture it won't hurt, but if you don't you won't find yourself lost in translation. Totally recommend watching this.

I loved this movie overall. The tone it sets from the beginning and the ambiguity of the plot is what kept me glued to the tv for *almost* this entire movie. I say almost because I found myself, towards the end, getting ready for it to conclude. The last 15 minutes of the movie feel like 30, but I am also more than likely partial because I expected a big fight scene/shoot out "Ballerina-esque" type ending and that is simply just not this movie. There is violence and action, but it is few and far between. The ending is beautiful and very well acted, I just went into it with the wrong mindset. I would 100% recommend this movie have added it to increasingly growing list of amazing Korean cinema to come out the last 25-30+ years.