Cast: Layla Mohammadi, Niousha Noor, Kamand Shefieisabet, Bijan Daneshmand, Bella Warda, Tom Byrne, Shevrin Alenabi, Sachli Gholamalizad, Jerry Habibi
When a large Iranian-American family gathers, a family secret is uncovered that catapults the estranged mother and daughter into an exploration of the past, and to discover they are more alike than they know.
This film is a heartwarming tale of family relationships. While overall being a film about relationships.
It’s ultimately a tale of immigrants building themselves up, As well as their families. While seeking independence being able to find a connection.
So, based on a true story, the film has quite an imagination. As it feels like a storybook at times. It’s full of reality, though has a touch of fantasy. When there is even an early scene that breaks down to a musical sequence of introducing family and friends to the Cyndi Lauper song girls just wanna have fun
The film is so rich you want to hear some more of her many brothers ‘ tales or more stories about the family overall, as it seems, there is some magical realism that is anchored by reality. so much so that this film almost feels like a mystical pilot for a television series.
The film is familiar, and some might feel this film has too much heart or gets lost a bit in sentimentality overshadowing other parts of the story lessons, the tone.
It actually works, it might leave others in the audience, wanting more grit in the dramatic part of the story. That feels overstuffed with tragedy and hardships that are wrapped up a little too nearly. Though this film is all about the heart. after all, it is a story about family and time.
Not to mention, it already provides tragedy with peaks of drama yet plenty of humor.
Just like the main character, it might define itself one way, but it finds itself in many different ways that go against definitions.
Cast: Danielle Macdonald, Hugh Skinner, Joanna Lumley, Gary Lewis, Shazad Latif, Ian Hanmore, Christina Bennington, Vicki Pepperdine
A brilliant young fund manager leaves her unfulfilling job and long-term boyfriend to chase her lifelong dream of becoming an opera singer in the Scottish Highlands.
There is nothing truly wrong with this film that it’s more of a romance than a comedy with musical flare. As it revolves around the world of amateur opera singing.
This leaves the film or at least the audience a little confused as you’re expecting it to be or at least have a few more quirky characters, and maybe a little more interactive, and confused throughout when it comes to the story.
The way it plays is pretty much cut and dry, and I admire that the film doesn’t make the female leads, original, romantic entrance, and fiancé into any kind of villain, or give him any truly negative traits. As it is, they are growing apart when it comes to interests and thoughts of the future.
The film is simple and cut and dry, but the problem is it just seems to lack a certain charm. Maybe it’s because it’s not as cliche to the audience as other romance films are not trying to convince you to like the characters presenting the characters as they are them or not.
Immediately gets into its story and plot and you already recognize where it’s going and what’s going on so you just sit and watch and see which way it will be delivered it’s cute but it doesn’t send the pulse racing. It doesn’t make you excited it just kind of gives it to you and hopes you like it. It’s like going to a diner versus a restaurant now sometimes a diner can surprise you and give you one of the best meals of your life but sometimes it’s just par for the course giving you exactly what you wanted but no effort to make it special or one of a kind. That is how this film feels.
The one thing you will remember is the lead Danielle McDonald, who has been in quite a few films up until now, and as usual, gives a great and memorable performance in the lead.
Cast: Rebecca DeMornay, Vincent Spano, Frank Langella, Donovan Leitch, Judith Chapman, Benjamin Mouton, Gail Boggs
In this variation on director Vadim’s own, more acclaimed Et Dieu Créa La Femme (1956, the same title in French), the vamp Robin Shea marries charming carpenter Billy Moran, only to get out of prison, but soon decides to seduce James Tiernan, who runs for state governor.
The remake was directed by the original director Roger Vadim. Tries to keep the same bets but in more modern dressing and fashion.
The film almost feels pornographic as the sex scenes are that graphic and feel more realistic. The original was a bit more coy. This goes for the jugular a bit. Though this version might be more explicit it Contains the same quality that the original did. An eroticism.
Which makes it feel more like a softcore movie. Stretching to be more of a mainstream dramedy and relatable. This comes across more as a straight-to-cable or horn video at the time. Trying to cash in on the original’s fame.
While star Rebecca DeMornay is certainly attractive and works In the role. She isn’t at the level of the bombshell that was Brigitte Bardot. She comes across as certainly more intelligent, but she is familiar to the audience. As she was the fantasy girl in RISKY BUSINESS. Here she is more down to earth, still a bit dangerous, but somewhat familiar. At least she is fleshed out character-wise.
The film almost feels like a step down for her from RISKY BUSINESS. As the subject of the lust humanizes her more, she is still desired more physically than anything. Where in the previous she remained a mystery. Here she is given a backstory and is all the more relatable, but still treated and shown in more of a carnal way throughout. That thought the material was never quite strong feels cheapened.
Of course in my teenage years when I first saw this film. This was a cable classic like finding a hidden treasure. Though was treasured more for its erotic Value. Sort of like Demornay’s character.
The quality might be a little off as Roger Vadim didn’t write this version only directed it and trusted the screenwriter to modernize it and make it more American. Which would explain the rock n roll angle. Though comes off as barely resembling the original and more in name only, with the two male leads obsessed with the free-spirited female character, against their better judgments.
The cast is respectable throughout. Though don’t know if they signed up more because of the director. All involved deserve better than this. Most of the main stars have sex scenes. Even if they are hinted at or more shown afterward. It Reeks of someone older trying to show that they are still hip and can be cool, embarrassing themselves in the process
This version does expose one essential truth about both films. Your interest is tied to its star no matter what story the film offers. So while it might try to have an extra amino of Merit at heart they are Star making films in the same way a teen idol or a TV star trying to make the move to the big screen and the film is built around them while giving them room to flex their acting muscles. Still, pay up the qualities of what the audience likes about them and hopefully have that built-in audience waiting for them and expose more to their charms
Juliette Hardy is sexual dynamite and has the men of a French coastal town panting. But Antoine, the only man who affects her likewise, wouldn’t dream of settling down with a woman his friends consider the town tramp. While Antoine’s away, his younger brother Michel, who worships Juliette, proposes to her. But what will happen when Antoine returns?
I saw the remake or reimagining from the 1990s first Which seemed to Focus more on Sex scenes and what the director Roger Vadim (who directed both the original and the
Remake) could get away with In The new modern age of cinema at the times. Which seems to be what both versions of heartbeats are.
Roger Vadim has always been interested in presenting the image of beautiful women on screen and more carnal delights. As A provocateur in artistic clothing. As a Frenchman also more interested in relationships and characters rather than necessarily plot lines. Creates more of a mood and atmosphere in his films as well As style than anything of deeper substance.
Here he makes the film all about the beauty of Brigitte Bardot which helped make her a star but also limited her to a degree. Making her a bombshell but especially more foreign gem export, at the time. Never truly let her acting talent come through and thus she never really got a chance to prove herself and was stuck more as an image and star. To be ogled, etched, adored, lusted after but never given anything deeper. As you want to possess and protect without knowing much about her.
Though the film through its critics and characters shows that there can never be a female character. Who is beautiful and her every action or decision not judged and a bunch of people talking or telling what she should be or should be doing. Everyone has an opinion about their relationship and their behavior.
She is a Symbol of unattainable beauty that men want by their side and women want to be.
It shows a changing moral code in a more innocent time. That showcases desire amongst the other things going on in the character’s lives. Every decision is questioned and Idealized
Women of beauty but never actually Considered for their other qualities. Who is Commonly Used and Judged. When their lifestyles and so-called attitudes don’t match the refinement they are expected to have. In other words when they show any traces of being human or normal.
The film offers Elegance but at times has a revealing peek-a-boo quality.
What might have once been seen as racy comes across as tame or classic like boudoir photos for couples. Luckily the film is not as exploitive as expected by the poster or reputation.
As Though Bardot’s character can’t be with the one she wants. she agrees to a marriage of convenience to truthfully a rebound relationship with a man who does love her and seems to pay the price. Only for her to stay and seemingly to stay in his life. Her behavior is troubling to many in his family.
Though she has many suitors and many men who desire her. It’s also about values, especially of character. As the rich man whom she Talks to, he has the power and means to give her what she wants and he truly only desires her more when she resists and thinks she is considering it. She knows he only wants her truly for her beauty and to have her just as he wants the shipyard that her husband owns.
Though her husband might not be Rich. he truly loves her and wants to make her happy. He appreciates her for who she is, who she knows she can control. Once her old lover his brother comes back the only man she has ever truly loved and has feelings for. she keeps flirting and tries to seduce him more throwing her marriage in his face.
As she is a Small Town beauty stuck and weighing the best out of her options. As Everyone is living in the moment. They reveal Themselves to be Broken characters seeming to punish themselves and never think about tomorrow.
The film pushes cinematic rules at the time and conventions. Though she is the main character the film never gives her drive or reason more just a fantasy of certain expectations and given none, other than beauty and what she can provide.
What I thought going in was that, You’re worth more than a smile and some nice words that Don’t focus on anything more penetrating than your beauty.
You deserve non-broken promises, Actions, and pampering not to owe or be paid back later
But done out of caring and love.
Even her old lover finds her hard to resist. even though he tries and when he fails jealousy comes with it. She loves her husband but is weak when it comes to her attraction to his brother who consistently disrespects her to others.
She seeks to not be so lonely all the time, Though shows a fair amount of glimpses.
The relationship started before she ever really met him. He had a crush when she was dating his brother.
In the end, everybody gets screwed and the only honest character seems to be her husband
Having to deal with the repercussions of her actions. As Every decision is judged.
No matter what she does or carries herself. As it is seen as lustful by other men and shameless by other women.
If he can’t have her or truly control Her, no one can as he almost kills his brother over her and then in the end. When she chooses to dance and have fun. He views it as disrespectful and wants to kill her even as he is seen as the romantic one.
They Make each other crazy, though it is seen as romantic when he slaps her as he is taking control and she has seen how much she believes he loves her by almost shooting her.
Even the man who desires her eventually is scared of her power but also has the overview to see everyone’s true emotions. Knowing it will come to an explosion eventually. He steps in to defuse the situation but pays for it violently.
This is a movie to talk about more than necessarily watch and praise what is on screen. Though you just see it to see how it is presented and the subjects that come up.
Maybe people back in the past felt the way the modern version plays. A wolf in sheep’s clothing meaning it tries to have artistic resonance and show at the time the vhs gong sexual attitude and more open nature of European films and relationships. Not necessarily show sex scenes but plenty of titillation and many excuses to show a bouncing Bardot in risqué states of undress and tight clothing as well as an open sexual attitude and willingness.
This film also seems to be almost a tribute to the beauty of Ms. Bardot and writing a film around her and maybe the filmmaker’s obsession with her made it into drama.
Written by: Baltasar Kormakur and Hallgrimur Helgason
Based on the Novel By: Hallgrimur Helgason
Cinematography: Peter Steuger
Editor: Skul E. Eriksen and Sigvaldi J. Karason
Cast: Victoria Abril, Hilmir Snaer Guonason, Hanna Maria Karlsdottir, Baltasar Kormakur, Pruour Vihjalmsdottir, Olafur Dari Olafsson, Prostur Leo Gunnarsson, Eyvindur Erlandsson, Halladora Bjorn Sdottir
Will the 30-year-old, Hlynur ever move out of his mother’s apartment in Reykjavík? Social welfare keeps him passive but things change when his mother’s Spanish friend, Lola, arrives and stays through Xmas and New Year’s Eve.
Before going off to make more action-oriented Hollywood films. Director Balatasar Kormakur (2 GUNS, BEAST, EVEREST, CONTRABAND) came through with this very visual erotic coming-of-age story of late maturity and being in a love triangle with your mother.
I would like to say this film can be easily categorized, but this film is one you can never quite take too seriously. So that one minute It’s a romance then it seems like an aimless character study. Then it seems like a woe-is-me for a character we can never quite feel sorry for. So if anything we can say this film is a quirky comedy.
There isn’t much substance to the material. A kind of love and lust triangle between a son, mother, and lodger. So that it ultimately becomes a film about relationships or connections.
A lodger is a free sprint and flamenco teacher played by Victoria Abril. Whose performance full of life, charisma, vitality, grace, and spirit is what saves the film. Not to mention her obvious beauty. She truly saves the film and is the only reason to watch it. It’s what got me to watch. As when she isn’t in the film it drags. You wonder was the character written around her or was she cast perfectly and it worked out?
Only wish she was in a better film that matched her talents and made her just her own thing to admire and love about the film. Rather than the only thing.
The main character is an unlikeable selfish jerk, but he is our guide. So when he gets his comeuppance. We aren’t as upset as it is expected. The film tries to come off as a foreign Woody Allen-inspired film. Only less artistic and more aimless.
His mother finally found a relationship and forced him to grow up. The downfall of his responsibility. Though originally seemed like it might focus on a lesbian relationship. It ultimately adheres to the male gaze and sexual fantasies and actions of straight sex.
The film is pretty open-minded for its time and has a liberal openness as it offers no judgments on anyone. It ultimately becomes about a young man learning to grow and become responsible. Learn how to truly have an adult relationship. So in certain moments is a relationship comedy.
Which leads to the increasingly complicated situations he finds himself in. That proves to be his downfall and maybe his saving grace.
The film is a time waster and has some good ideas and tries to twist it so that instead of playing the victim the main character is almost a villain at times, but learns to grow up somewhat. Though none of it Is compelling enough to keep a major interest.
Cast: Tony Leung, Jane March, Frédérique Meininger, Arnaud Giovaninetti, Melvil Poupaud, Lisa Faulkner, Jeanne Moreau
In 1929 French Indochina, a French teenage girl embarks on a reckless and forbidden romance with a wealthy, older Chinese man, each knowing that knowledge of their affair will bring drastic consequences to each other.
This is one of the more troublesome movies to watch now as even though it’s based on a classic novel, it still is a love story between an older Asian man and a young French girl. Watching the film we know that both actors are of age but the film is overly erotic, and both actors even being of age are extremely attractive.
So while full of sex. at heart, it tries to be a romance and shows how power, race, and class bring them together, but also pull them apart, as take advantage of the other in their own way. The film feels like a book textured with beautiful international yet a small story. That has heavy and strong ramifications.
I remember when this film came out as one of the first artistic erotic films I remember seeing. As the sex was graphic and realistic, rather than being exploited, it seems to come more from passion, romance, and love.
This would obviously be hard to make today one of the other aspects that was the appeal at the time was that there was an interracial romance on screen. Full of risky material that deals with racism as well as classism.
The rules were reversed as here was an Asian man who was more classy, and had money which he comes from, and her family is more poor, desperate, and savage, he seemed to pluck her off the streets and seduce her, and to a certain point her family despised him for being Asian do like the money that he spends.
The film has plenty of artistic touches that help the film flourish. The art direction is top-notch, and the main character is the defining, all-white suit that he wears throughout.
The film also happened to be the jewel in the way to the brief film career of the actress, Jane March it was also her screen debut. She was unbelievably beautiful. She followed this film up with films like TARZAN AND THE LOST CITY OF GOLD and PROVOCATEUR and the infamous Hollywood bomb THE COLOR OF NIGHT. Though like her The scope of the film is beautiful to look at. She has continued to work over the years here and there, but never quite in a starring role. The biggest budgeted Hollywood film she was in recently was the remake of CLASH OF THE TITANS.
By the end when it comes to the characters she is the one you won’t forget, and was hoping that Jane March would have a memorable acting career aside from this film, but she achieved one-and-done status (One-and-done is usually where an actor actress is so good, but they never ever act again, and are only defined by one role where they stay unforgettable maybe even that character to life so strongly that even when you look at pictures of them in real life, you still see more of the character than the actual actor Which can work for the film as in your mind it makes them more real) even as she appeared in a few other films. None were good one was more infamous and reputation so that leaves the one she truly shines in and shows so much promise.
I remember being pulled into this film and caring about the characters beyond the sex scenes I will admit that the first time one watched the cultural and political stuff went over my head. Though one can remember the lush Scenery and feeling like you are watching an escapade.
The film truly is a perverted story of a taboo romance that once was more common at the time based on a novel, luckily in the film, the girl is aged up a bit and shows her learning of the world through him, usually through the comfort that he can bring her.
Cast: Andrew McCarthy, Molly Ringwald, Ben Stiller, Patti D’Arbanville, Viggo Mortensen, Molly Hagan, Doug Hutchinson, Leon Rossom, Marita Geraghty
A college student from Cincinnati breaks off his engagement to his wealthy fiancée after falling in love with a girl from Kentucky. She claims to be 20, but he learns she is actually only 16 and already married.
The film gets to buy on its reunion of the two stars, Andrew McCarthy, and Molly Ringwald, again, a rich boy, who falls for a girl, who is considered the wrong side of the tracks only hear her character is full of misfortune and mystery, rather than upwardly, mobile and spunky as well as early appearances of Ben Stiller, Viggo Mortensen, and Doug Hutchinson
By the end of the whole affair comes off as distracting from his ultimate fate and destiny. A doomed romance that is part of growing up for these characters.
Based on an off-Broadway play the film comes across more as having the substance of a 1950s melodrama which would also explain the film’s appeal to me, which is Molly Ringwald, her best and most luscious ever on screen, playing a romantic lead, becoming across more as a femme fatale, maybe it’s the color palette of her pale skin with her enhanced red hair and also Her at the time more an adult role in growing perfectly into it. Like a Greta Garbo or no not as voluptuous as Bridget Bardot.
So that her looks and appeal in this film come across as like a 1950s silver screen siren where the film is classic because of the beauty of the star in the role which truly shows that either they were becoming a movie star or a movie star but you can’t remember much story-wise or plotline about the film but you can probably remember where you were and how it felt when you first saw this image or saw this felt
After all most of the films that we consider classic because they’re so well remembered, but yet we can’t remember half of their stories unless you’re a true film aficionado, but you remember the stars because films were notoriously all around better back then, or consider to be made better, as the stars supposedly had to have all the talents of being able to sing, dance and we the stars on-screen charisma liability with their personality rather than necessarily they’re acting skills.
However, it also feels like a film where she was trying to show a more adult and artistic side. Showing she had grown up to a degree. Something we commonly see with child stars who want to be seen in a new or different light and sometimes choose extreme roles in subpar films, for the opportunity. Though at this point she had already done THE PICK UP ARTIST and
FOR KEEPS. This was the first of her films with a new look. A kind of rebirth though in familiar territory with an old co-Star
This film would’ve been perfectly fine back in the day as it resides any emotions and tries to rely on acting ability, but comes across more basing itself on star quality in a romance story with a color palette that represents the season
So watching it feels like how some migrate to woodlands to see the changing of the color of the leaves. Here you’re watching the film to watch your favorite teen actors kind of grow up or play more adult roles and see if they can pass the test.
Wow, they perfectly do OK in their rules. It does feel like Molly Ringwald is a little Miss Cass. She looks the part but something is off that just doesn’t make her feel correct in the role. She does the best she can, but there seems to be a lack of an edge when it comes to her performance. Though again you will remember her looks or her look in the film.
Then, again, maybe that’s me as it is what I remember most of why I wanted to see the film and why time the time I might come back to the film
Ultimately watch this film mainly if you’re a completist you like a good romantic tragedy, or you could think of it as a continuation of PRETTY IN PINK, but only in the aftermath.
I can admit, it’s not the greatest movie, and Andrew McCarthy was brought in late, but offered fans of PRETTY IN PINK. A kind of reunion of the two actors, obviously in a vastly different film and in a more adult playground, definitely more dramatic a little bit out of range from their usual roles.
I will say that I saw the film based on that coupling and also based on Molly Ringwald, looking exquisite in the trailers in the posters and watching the film. I was not fully satisfied or disappointed. It’s just that the film was so cold and didn’t have the warmth nor was it that interesting. Keep in mind I saw this as a teenager so it was very boring and even watching it today. It’s very tepid It’s one of those. I don’t know exactly what the reason for all of this is but OK Storytelling.
It had higher hopes especially coming from the director David Anspaugh. Whose film before this was the hit movie HOOSIERS
Cast: Emilia Jones, Nicholas Braun, Geraldine Viswanathan, Isabella Rossellini, Hope Davis, Christopher Shyer, Liza Koshy, Fred Melamed, Donald Elise Watkins, Michael Gandolfini
When Margot, a college sophomore goes on a date with the older Robert, she finds that IRL Robert doesn’t live up to the Robert she has been flirting with over texts. A razor-sharp exploration of the horrors of dating.
Well, I am a big fan of the short story and the book it’s part of I was looking forward to this film, and it’s no surprise, that your pails and comparison, and is ultimately a disappointment compared to the original short story, which is more ambiguous, and might be one of the short story strength or as this film it’s hard to be ambiguous, totally and keep the audience interested and engaged not saying it’s impossibleit’s just that that quality was not expressed.
In the third act, it seems like the filmmaker and film decided to make a thriller or add thriller elements to the film kind of making all the paranoia and awkwardness she felt before come true but also since it’s based on a short story, the first half of the film is based on that actual story, and this is more where the filmmaker decided to go, maybe as a narrative choice, or to start to make the film, seem conventional, taking some sort of inspiration from the movie adaptation, wherein the third act it’s questionable but it becomes more conventional
As before this, the film seems more like an alien, awkward romance between two awkward people, one just beginning their adult and one well in the middle of it, and not seeming to have any anchors
This film, a modern generation film, that certainly could open up many conversations, especially in a battle of the sexes and dating would’ve been a bit more interesting, and a third act tries to break up the monotony of that, but feels right and wrong at the same time
As you can see, both sides of the story, though it doesn’t allow itself to get there. Some of the behavior is so extreme that you can’t truly forgive it or give the character credit.
There is a challenging and interesting movie very deep inside here. Fortunately, it just doesn’t seem to be well. Translated as the film is kind of a chore at times to sit through as you feel it length throughout.
Some scenes do work, but they’re also scenes that you look forward to and should be highlights that seem to fall short the intimate evening, for instance, is one of them.
While it tries to be moody. It also seems to decide to be one-sided and then in the end broaden up its view but onto with a few details and still Makes her justified in her beliefs.
The film delves into the paranoia and boundaries of modern dating from a woman’s perspective. Especially for a young woman who is not as seasoned making her way through the world.
Though watching it, I kept thinking how much different or even better it might have been if this was made by a director like Todd Solodnz as it has a kind of coldness to it, but then again a sense of belonging or wouldn’t have been seen differently if Geraldine Viswanathan who plays the main characters best friend, had played the main role. Would the film then explore not only different sexes but also different cultures?
Isabella Rossellini doesn’t even really need to be in this movie. As her role comes off as a cameo and maybe a star name to add to the cast for a bigger budget.
This could have been a defining movie though unfortunately it does itself in and sells itself short. As it dulls any sharpness it might have and makes the proceedings dull all around for the most part.
Written By & Based On The Graphic Novel By: Adrian Tomine
Cinematography: Santiago Gonzalez
Editor: Robert Nassau
Cast: Justin H. Min, Ally Maki, Sherry Cola, Randall Park, Jacob Batalon, Tavi Gevinson, Debby Ryan, Sonoya Mizuno, Timothy Simons
Follows a trio of young, Bay Area urbanites–Ben Tanaka, Miko Hayashi, and Alice Kim–as they navigate a range of interpersonal relationships while traversing the country in search of the ideal connection.
This film is an anti-romantic comedy that is a breath of fresh air. As it is a movie after my own heart. Adapted from a graphic novel by Adrian Tomine
The film offers a character-driven slice of life. That possesses a dry sense of humor. As it presents situations in the main character’s life. So that it feels more like a hangout movie. As we explore the character’s world, more witness his relationships.
How he complains and believes himself to be the victim always. Closing himself off from others and feelings in general. How he becomes his own worst enemy and slowly alienates others. Who actually wants to like him.
That ends up becoming a story of a kind of redemption or how a jerk finally wakes up to himself and his negative aura.
To give you an example of the main character imagine the worst film snob and magnify it as a personal outlook on most things.
The film hits home as it is a reminder of sorts for one at a younger age. One would want to believe not as bad but plenty of aspects are personality. Though he is more successful relationship-wise and has more friends around him.
The film is dark-humored like a young Asian unsuccessful Larry David. Who you don’t root for or agree with. As we watch him go through interactions and her cross over and come to a head.
The lead character is so Insufferable. Half of the entertainment is watching him fall off his high horse constantly. Especially as he starts to build any chances of hope. Then usually sabotages himself or his partners. Wake from any kind of charm ornament attention he was giving them.
This is the type of character who usually seems to be the hero of most relationship dramedies made by twenty-somethings. Whereas the world revolves around them and everyone else has the problem, not them.
Sherry Cola almost steals the whole film. Her character is reminiscent of her character in the film JOYRIDE only with more depth and sarcasm here.
It’s nice to see the film take on racial politics but not be all about it and offer Asian American characters’ points of view and let them be more diverse and full.
Cast: Cho Jae-Hyun, Won Seo, Yun-Tae Kim, Choi Deok-Moon, Yoon-Young Choi, Yoo-Jin Shin, Kim Jeong-Yeong, Min Nam-Keong
An unfeeling gangster seeks to ruin the life of a young girl who rejected him. He forces her into prostitution and spies on her regularly, then he soon begins to fall for her.
Filmmaker, Kim Ki-Duk tends to make spiritual films that are love stories at heart. That sometimes can be character studies.
Here with this early effort, he has made a disturbing romance of revenge that seems to test not only the character’s boundaries, but the audience as at first this film feels like it is born of shock, but reveals its softer edges amongst the chaos
Where it feels like a dramatization of the psychology of someone caught in Stockholm syndrome, or how a pimp unconventionally raptures a victim, to become a prostitute only here more against her will, and likes to watch her, but never dares to get intimate with her himself, nor really even touch or punisher, except for an initial case before this all started
His victimization of her at first feels like him trying to get back at her. The strange thing is that he dooms her to this lifestyle, though he doesn’t like to see her take any pleasure or pleasure. As she truly starts to succumb to her environment the lifestyle becomes second nature tour. Still, they build a bond through all the heartbreaks and interactions.
There is plenty to go through, including her other suitors, including her managers, who begin to fall for her and try to help her escape. When she wants to though she realizes she has no one and nowhere to go back to, even if she did what would her future be
This is where some questions when it comes to this film because she’s not long lost. She’s not that far from home it’s more the condition. She’s practically enslaved to pay off debt, and she ends up, making the best out of a messed up situation where the bond is seen more that she needs him more or less not necessarily to survive, but to make sense and have someone still feel something for her, other than lust.
At this point, she seems to forget all that she really knows and only knows this lifestyle but no one from her old life wanders and wonders where she is, and even when she does try to escape, she can’t think of where she’s going to go or what she’s going to do as her reputation is more in the dirt, because of debt, and stealing rather than prostitution.
The film also focuses on what seems to be his bad influence on others, that he seems to survive, but others seem like they tend to pay even though it is their own actions the only truly bad she has done is enslaving her, and all he shows kind of indifference Even when dealing with other gangsters who react violently toward him. It sets up many places to investigate side characters but stays only focused on the two leaves..
So while the film wants you to care about these characters, it’s very hard when the film seems to be brutal and very misogynistic for little to no reason. Now Wallet allows him to experiment into the very nature and different sides of love, even the unfair ones. It still comes across as disappointing in the end. luckily the filmmaker’s films became universally appealing.
Though maybe the movie is truly about these functional relationships we can criticize all we want, but we will never truly understand them. What makes them work what makes the people in them desire to stay together and be dependent on one another they have their reasons that only they understand, and in the end only make sense to themselves, maybe that’s the whole point of this film that no matter how angry disappointed we get it’s not meant for us to understand it just happens and this is a presentation of it.
Cut To The Chase 