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Plot – 1986. In the small South Korean province of Gyunggi a series of brutal murders begin to plague the area. Several women are found dead having been tied up and raped. The task of catching the killer falls to two inept and rather brutal local cops who either have no idea how to do their job properly, or just don't care. To aid the investigation a hotshot detective is sent from Seoul, a man of vastly different techniques to the local police. Together they will have to try and stop the serial killer as the bodies continue to mount up. Based on a true case that rocked Korea.
Occasionally in movie reviews you'll get a little section along the lines of “see this if you liked these” and it will list a few films that are in some way linked, either through their story, genre, director etc. Anyway if you were to do that with this film it would definitely be 'see this if you liked David Fincher's Zodiac.' They really do share a considerable amount in common, right down to the whole basis for the films. Both films concern themselves with the true story of a serial killer that terrorised a community over a substantial stretch of time, and has still never been caught.
The style the films choose to employ to tell their story is also very similar. They concern themselves just as much, or indeed more so, with the men investigating the crimes as the crimes themselves. While we may see snatches of the violence there is no sensationalising of it. It shows the lengths that individuals will go to in search of the truth and justice. The film presents the contrasting fortunes of two of these investigators; local cop Detective Park Doo-man and Detective Seo Tae-Yoon, a young investigator sent from Seoul to assist the department. Doo-man is a man who sees no problem in planting evidence, coercing a confession or abusing suspects to gain an arrest. Though at times I wondered if he was truly a dirty cop, or if he was just completely out of his depth and desperate to find someone to blame for the crimes. As the film goes on however he changes; the case itself obviously has an effect but much of it is also down to his relationship with a local woman; he seems to want to become a better man to be worthy of her. In contrast, Tae-Yoon arrives in the small town as a real hotshot, up to date with all the latest procedures and techniques and is digusted at the attitude and actions of the local cops. His character arc takes him down to the level of the cops he was initially dismayed be; the sheer horror of the case and the frustration of the investigation leads him to desperate lengths to try and find the killer. It all shows how the evil deeds of mankind can lead a good man down a dark path, and how the love of a good woman can save a troubled man.
The film also features a dark, subversive streak of humour which pops up every so often though I have to say I wasn't sure how appropriate it was. In a piece of fiction fair enough, but in a story which features real crimes, real victims and is recent enough that family members of these victims will still be around and affected by this nightmare, I just wasn't sure it was the best move. Though I have to admit that I couldn't help but laugh at the wild actions of Detective Yong-koo. His answer to dealing with a suspect, or to try and break up a situation is just to take to the air and deliver a flying dropkick to someone. I understand showing the ridiculous nature of the policing at that time in Korea as it's an important part of the reason why the killer wasn't captured, but it gives the film a rather farcical tone which feels a little off-putting at times. It's like watching cops right out of the Inspector Clouseau School of Policing.
Towards the films conclusion there were one or two scenes which I felt strayed into contrived territory, just to try and amp up the dramatic effect, but other than that it's tough for me to really find many faults with this film. It is strongly directed and features some appealing performances. The film also follows a trend I've noticed in many Korean films in that it features some quite excellent cinematography; this time creating a very brooding and atmospheric aura. It won't be for everyone certainly; it's a very slow burning mystery which does not have a resolution or many thrills along the way. As a result, for me personally it resembled Zodiac in another way; that while I was able to admire a great deal of it I didn't feel myself getting all that close to really loving it. And I'm not sure I ever could.
Conclusion – I know a lot of people are huge fans of this film. Tyler 1 loves it. Quentin Tarantino loves it. I think Brodinski is also a big fan but not completely sure on that one. Now while I think it's certainly a very worthy and accomplished film, it's not one that I made a really emotional connection with. Perhaps that could change with repeated viewings
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Year of release
2003
2003
Directed by
Bong Joon-ho
Bong Joon-ho
Written by
Bong Joon-ho
Shim Sung-bo
Bong Joon-ho
Shim Sung-bo
Starring
Song Kang-ho
Kim Sang-kyung
Kim Roe-ha
Park Hae-il
Song Kang-ho
Kim Sang-kyung
Kim Roe-ha
Park Hae-il
Memories of Murder
+
Plot – 1986. In the small South Korean province of Gyunggi a series of brutal murders begin to plague the area. Several women are found dead having been tied up and raped. The task of catching the killer falls to two inept and rather brutal local cops who either have no idea how to do their job properly, or just don't care. To aid the investigation a hotshot detective is sent from Seoul, a man of vastly different techniques to the local police. Together they will have to try and stop the serial killer as the bodies continue to mount up. Based on a true case that rocked Korea.
Occasionally in movie reviews you'll get a little section along the lines of “see this if you liked these” and it will list a few films that are in some way linked, either through their story, genre, director etc. Anyway if you were to do that with this film it would definitely be 'see this if you liked David Fincher's Zodiac.' They really do share a considerable amount in common, right down to the whole basis for the films. Both films concern themselves with the true story of a serial killer that terrorised a community over a substantial stretch of time, and has still never been caught.
The style the films choose to employ to tell their story is also very similar. They concern themselves just as much, or indeed more so, with the men investigating the crimes as the crimes themselves. While we may see snatches of the violence there is no sensationalising of it. It shows the lengths that individuals will go to in search of the truth and justice. The film presents the contrasting fortunes of two of these investigators; local cop Detective Park Doo-man and Detective Seo Tae-Yoon, a young investigator sent from Seoul to assist the department. Doo-man is a man who sees no problem in planting evidence, coercing a confession or abusing suspects to gain an arrest. Though at times I wondered if he was truly a dirty cop, or if he was just completely out of his depth and desperate to find someone to blame for the crimes. As the film goes on however he changes; the case itself obviously has an effect but much of it is also down to his relationship with a local woman; he seems to want to become a better man to be worthy of her. In contrast, Tae-Yoon arrives in the small town as a real hotshot, up to date with all the latest procedures and techniques and is digusted at the attitude and actions of the local cops. His character arc takes him down to the level of the cops he was initially dismayed be; the sheer horror of the case and the frustration of the investigation leads him to desperate lengths to try and find the killer. It all shows how the evil deeds of mankind can lead a good man down a dark path, and how the love of a good woman can save a troubled man.
The film also features a dark, subversive streak of humour which pops up every so often though I have to say I wasn't sure how appropriate it was. In a piece of fiction fair enough, but in a story which features real crimes, real victims and is recent enough that family members of these victims will still be around and affected by this nightmare, I just wasn't sure it was the best move. Though I have to admit that I couldn't help but laugh at the wild actions of Detective Yong-koo. His answer to dealing with a suspect, or to try and break up a situation is just to take to the air and deliver a flying dropkick to someone. I understand showing the ridiculous nature of the policing at that time in Korea as it's an important part of the reason why the killer wasn't captured, but it gives the film a rather farcical tone which feels a little off-putting at times. It's like watching cops right out of the Inspector Clouseau School of Policing.
Towards the films conclusion there were one or two scenes which I felt strayed into contrived territory, just to try and amp up the dramatic effect, but other than that it's tough for me to really find many faults with this film. It is strongly directed and features some appealing performances. The film also follows a trend I've noticed in many Korean films in that it features some quite excellent cinematography; this time creating a very brooding and atmospheric aura. It won't be for everyone certainly; it's a very slow burning mystery which does not have a resolution or many thrills along the way. As a result, for me personally it resembled Zodiac in another way; that while I was able to admire a great deal of it I didn't feel myself getting all that close to really loving it. And I'm not sure I ever could.
Conclusion – I know a lot of people are huge fans of this film. Tyler 1 loves it. Quentin Tarantino loves it. I think Brodinski is also a big fan but not completely sure on that one. Now while I think it's certainly a very worthy and accomplished film, it's not one that I made a really emotional connection with. Perhaps that could change with repeated viewings