1067. The Handmaiden

The Handmaiden
2016
Directed by Park Chan-wook

Fingersmith has been on my book list for years and after seeing this movie I am definitely moving it up to the top. Perhaps I'll feel like less of a pervert reading the story than I did watching it.

In Japan-occupied Korea, Count Fujiwara plans on seducing Lady Hideko, a Japanese heiress and stealing her inheritance. He hires a pickpocket, Sook-hee, to be Hideko's handmaiden, so she can persuade Hideko to marry Fujiwara. Sexy times and then not so sexy times ensue.

I don't mean to imply that you are a pervert if you enjoy this. I think in some scenes the director was drawing comparisons between the film's audience and all the perverted voyeurs in the story (with Hideko's uncle obviously taking home the Creepie). As far as the lesbian sex scenes go...I'm not sure how much it added to the story to know the particulars of their sex lives. I wanted Hideko to experience a sexual awakening as much as the next man...well, actually, the next straight man might have wanted it a bit more. But I am not sure I had to know the particulars or for the "particulars" to go on as long as they did.

There were beautiful scenes in this film, but of course because it's Park Chan-wook, there were also plenty of scenes where I wanted to cover my eyes. Oddly, it still manages to be a rather sweet movie.

RATING: ***--

Interesting Facts:

No male crew member was present during the lesbian sex scenes.

Sarah Waters, who wrote Fingersmith, approved of the script but requested the filmmakers say the movie was merely "inspired by" her novel.

973. Oldboy

Oldboy
2003
Directed by Park Chan-wook

I have loved revenge stories ever since I read Count of Monte Cristo in high school.  Now we have this and Kill Bill coming up!  My blood lust should be sufficiently satisfied between these two films.

A lot of the brilliance of this movie comes from its innovative twists that would make M. Night Shyamalan himself tight in the pants.  Therefore, I will keep the summary short and vague.  In 1988, Oh Dae-su is arrested for public drunkenness, which causes him to miss his daughter's fourth birthday.  His friend Joo-hwan picks him up from the police station and the pair go to a phone booth to call home.    While Joo-hwan is on the phone, Dae-su is kidnapped and held in a sealed hotel room.  From the television set he learns that his wife was murdered and that he is the prime suspect.  Aside from that information, Dae-su has no idea who is holding him hostage or why.

I feel like many Hollywood action films take are rather condescending to their audiences.  I suppose this makes sense, as the appeal of the genre is often its' mindlessness.  But this is actually a smart movie; I particularly enjoyed the parallels between this and a certain Greek tragedy that shall remain nameless for anti spoiler purposes.

The octopus scene was fairly disgusting, although I have a theory about its purpose.  Unfortunately, I can't reveal what my theory is, as it would constitute another spoiler.  Good review right?

RATING: *****

Interesting Facts:

Four live octopodes were eaten for the scene at the sushi bar.  Gross.

Body count of 7 (onscreen).