Paparoti

Very loosely based on a real-life story, this film is saved by the glorious music it contains. If it were not for Bong Joon-ho's "Parasite", it would be considered OK Korean film-making. But now the bar has been set very high, with "Parasite" winning or being nominated for many awards. Now acting is expected to have some subtlety. 'Indicating' as Lee Strasberg called it, is not good enough, the audience has to believe the emotions an actor is showing - pretending doesn't cut it. And mugging for the camera is just embarrassing. So the lead roles almost get a pass here, a couple of the gangsters get a pass +, and the comedy routines are embarrassing. Maybe it's unfair to judge a film from 2013 by 2019 standards. But blame Bong Joon-ho for that. Korean film-making is now alongside the very best One other thought: when we are waiting for the lead to finally sing (and yes, we are made to wait - which is OK), we know he's going to be good, but it's still a big dramatic moment, so we are looking to see whether the amazing voice we are about to hear can reasonably belong to the lead actor. Unfortunately in the version available on Amazon Prime streaming, the voice is considerably out of sync with the lips. So the illusion is broken - and we don't believe he's singing. This would be easy for the editor to make right, so is there an issue with the print/file being used for US audiences? Or was the editor just sloppy?

And yet - despite all the above, it is an enjoyable film. The singing will give you goose-bumps. Made a few years later, it would likely have been more than just OK.

This story and Lee Je Hoon's acting brought tears to my eyes! He well deserved the best actor award for this.

Fed up people saying they korean movies when they watch one or two a yr. I watch around 10 awk some over and over. This was superb song too Not sure if he really sang but wow

This is not someone just starting out or even a rising star: he is phenomenal, but he's also experienced with 14 years of developing his gifts. He can play any part, kicking butt with his martial arts skills, moving viewers to tears with the stillness of his expression, making the heart soar with his performances, and in these most recent just this year there is that maturing in expression and stillness. Letting the moment take the audience in. He's broken my heart several times-and made it soar in My Paparotti.

There is a combination of gangster trying to make good and classical music singer story here. It keeps things interesting with some action here and there. Some of the character's reactions are exaggerated and some situations are obviously contrived for dramatic purposes. Like the fight before the competition. But at least things aren't dull as it could be for classical music movies. Lee Je Hoon looks a bit old for a high school kid. He lip synchs well. He does not sing a lot of opera just Tosca and Turandot but it sounds great when he does. Another K movie about a teacher and student For Horowitz is also good and less theatrical.