The story is excellent. You can see how much effort the writer and director put into it right from the first scene. While it gets dark and depressing, there is also a light tone to it during some parts. This is the first time I have watched a lesbian Korean movie and found myself highly loving it. While the two women serve as the main characters, Ha Jeong Woo also plays the male lead and has quite a presence throughout. During the entire course of the film, it will give you the feeling of reading a book than watching a film. It's poetic and literary in its narration and the atmosphere of the movie just amplifies all the best parts about the film.
There were a few erotic scenes but I felt like they were tastefully filmed. The girls have good chemistry with each other and Ha Jeong Woo was the perfect barrier between them. I was impressed by how well all three spoke Japanese in the movie (also the supporting cast). Plus the era the film is set in makes it a hundred times more interesting. It's intriguing to see Korea portrayed under the rule of Japan and you can see how much Korean culture was influenced by the Japanese during then. You could watch the movie just for the periodic setting and even then you could enjoy it for that solely as well.
What's cool about the movie is the plot- the conning, friendship, romance, perversion and obsession. There's also a slight revenge aspect to the story which was the main twist and made this movie way more likable. Also the costumes, sets and dialogues are what made it so fun. I swear I blushed during a few parts of the film because I never realized how erotic Japanese can sound with the right diction.
If you wanna know what sets this movie apart, it's the setting/era (undoubtedly) and also the ending. YES. The ending makes it all worth it. The entire 2+ hours will fly by and you will not even notice it. And the twist was so, so clever. Kudos to the writer.
Only watch it if you are over 18 or a mature teen. There are some scenes of torture and hints of BDSM and perversion. They are not too overbearing so do not worry. Just sit down and enjoy it- like me. The ending makes it the best thing ever. TRUST ME.
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I first heard about it because it was officially competing at the Cannes's Movie Festival.
And then I saw that the great Park Chan Wook was the director behind it so I quickly decided to watch it.
BUT, neither did I read the summary first nor watched the trailer ... and maybe I should have had.
Don't get me wrong ! This movie is a masterpiece. But, I wasn't expecting that plotline AT ALL.
You should be aware that it gots some serious mature contents like SEX, BDSM and violence. You can feel really uneasy watching it. But that is the reason why this movie is so beautiful : the darkness and somehow weird feels matches so well with the love story. Some scenes are magical.
But just keep in mind that it is 18+ rated (basically 5 minutes of intense, non-stoping and not-really censured sex)
There is three major arks in the movie: the first two ones where you get to discover and even rediscover the characters and story from different point of views, and the third one where all of your answers are answered & the story ends.
This combination might seems odd to some viewers, as we sometimes get to rewatch the same scenes. But I personally find it really interesting.
The two main actresses are absolutely perfect. They convey all the feels of their characters in an emotional way. As it is stayed in the summary, they will both 'discover some unexpected emotions'. Lesbian relationship in Korean movies are quite unusual and I must say that this one is breaking down HUGE taboos. The geniuses of Park Chan Wook was to gamble on this idea, in a country where he perfectly knows that the critics will get fierce.
Thanks to a good casting choice, I personally think that he won his bet.
I was surprisingly amazed by Kim Tae Ri (Sook Hee)'s acting. She's new, It's her first movie. The idea of new fits perfectly her character. The way she acted was stunning. I want to see her in more things from now on.
Anyway if you're 18+, interested in some good suspenseful stories and open-minded regarding this movie love plot line, you will definitely enjoy it.
It's not Old Boy sure ...but it is The Handmaiden. They both have their qualities and universe.
Special mention to the ending song which was absolutely gorgeous ... kinda combines all of the feels that this movie gives you.
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Acting/Cast: All of the main actors, especially the 2 female leads did a great job. I loved the relationship between Sook Hee and Hideko, I was excited to see how it would develop and I wouldn't have done had it any other way.
Music: I usually don't pay attention to the OST unless it's very special in particular. While there wasn't any memorable tunes, the soundtrack fit the show perfectly, and I loved the song in the ending credits.
Re-watch Value: I'm not one to re-watch a film or a show with such a complex plot, but I definitely wouldn't mind re-living the experience of this story all over again.
Overall: I honestly don't think there was anything wrong with this movie, I loved everything this film had to offer. I would recommend this to anyone willing to follow a complicated yet perverted story with a good plot twist.
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This review may contain spoilers
Do you know the feeling when someone recommends a movie or book to you as something excellent that you are sure to like, and meanwhile you are bored throughout the "consumption" of this "outstanding" work? I had that while watching this film. The film was recommended to me as one of the best erotic thrillers of recent years, meanwhile I found nothing of thriller or erotica here.The film is aesthetically shot and the actors acted well, but that was the end of it. There was no tension building here, no involvement in the fate of the characters. It was as if it were a 19th-century story of a boarding school girl who had heard that there was a forbidden fruit somewhere, but had no idea where to look for what it looked like, let alone what it tasted like. The lesbian scenes were simply hilarious. The unexpected twists and turns had no suspense in them. Maybe my expectations were too high, but every time I recall a scene from this film, I snort with laughter or roll my eyes, and I guess that's not what an erotic thriller is about.
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TWs for pedophilia. incest, child abuse and heavy gore.
So I saw this movie knowing absolutely next to nothing which I wish I did because there's a lot (A LOT!!) of warnings and I have seen people recommend this movie before but no one ever mentions these things. I think these are the major content warnings: bdsm, explicit sex, pedophilia, incest, sexual assault, gore, violence.Spoilers but read this if you want to have a little idea about the movie before going in, and especially if you're susceptible to the aforementioned triggers; The main character is used as a sort of sex slave her entire life and her uncle is very abusive and a pedophile.
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This movie is more than just have an erotic style, it was the best of the characters who executed the story with intense performances without losing track of its meaning, purpose and the unique complexity.
The cinematography is like a visual feast to consider. The chemistry of the main leads is certain. Definitely, a movie with complete package shouldn’t be missed.
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It felt really weird after watching Kim Tae Ri in Mr. Sunshine and then seeing this a few months later; actually, it was almost a little disturbing. I think it could have been one of the better Korean movies I've seen if it did not have the sexual content, though they probably couldn't have kept the plot in that case. I understand the differences in Korean movie vs TV but I have grown used to other very good Korean Movies that were very mature in gore and barely touched on anything sensual; I much prefer that. Otherwise, I'll stick the 15+ dramas.
Story (6.5):
The story is problematic to me mostly because it all revolves around sensuality and it cast a tone to the movie I couldn't truly enjoy. If that is more your thing, then it does have a fairly intricate and exciting plot.
That said, I believe most of my enjoyment in the story came from the way it was portrayed, as I mentioned earlier. I don't want to give any spoilers, but I'll just say that there are 3 parts to the movie and they don't reveal everything that happens in part 1.
Without this method of storytelling I think the plot could have been just a jumble, so it's a good thing it was done this way; props to the screenwriter, who coincidentally also worked on the Korean adaptation of Mother which is one of my all time favorite dramas.
We all also know the director but I'm not the greatest fan of his works though Oldboy is irrefutably a well done movie. If I could enjoy the theme, then I believe the story portion would get a higher rating, but I can't handle it. Sue me, to each their own.
Acting/Cast (10.0):
Of course, this is a phenomenal cast. I don't think I can say much beyond it was very well acted. Kim Tae Ri is one of my favorite actresses after seeing Mr. Sunshine, and to be honest, after seeing the story prior to watching, the only reason I still went forward with my viewing was because of her. Everyone else in the cast was very well done, especially the Count and the Uncle. I've not seen much of Kim Min Hee, but nothing to complain about from there; obviously a very seasoned actress. I think one of the most impressive parts is that everyone seems so fluent in Korean and Japanese!
Music (5.0):
Often I'll give the music portion a high rating if I felt it wasn't unique or especially good but fit with the drama and didn't detract at all. I have to say this did a fairly good job, but there were 1 or 2 instances where I frowned at what I was hearing. It was still pretty tasteful and there was a fair amount without music, but I heard nothing especially interesting.
Rewatch value (1.0):
So yeah, I'm never going to watch this again.
Overall (5.5):
Is anyone still with me? At the end of the movie, I was fairly pleased with the progression and then woah here we go again... you'll know what I mean. Like seriously did you have to do that... I'm scarred for life.
If you think I'm harsh because blah blah I can't handle it, okay fine, I was home-schooled and grew up on Winnie the Pooh and Mr. Rogers so sue me. I remember the first time I realized Korean entertainment wasn't all prudish and fade to black was when I watched Little Girl K and there was suddenly a bared breast. It literally shocked me; the reason I'd grown so attached at that point to Kdramas was because, after just moving out of my parent's house, I had marathoned and quickly grown disillusioned with a ton of western TV shows and movies with only a handful of ones I actually enjoyed. Compare to what I found when stumbling upon Kdramas; it was like a whole new pasture of green grass without a thistle in sight. There were plenty of Kdramas I didn't find very interesting, but I didn't drop them because the content was literally abhorrent and stupid (except Boys over Flowers).
In the end I actually did enjoy Little Girl K because the nudity was far from the main content and wasn't really dwelt on either. Some of my favorite western movies are ones rated R with no sexual content in them and I found that almost everything I came upon in the Korean world had enough maturity and gore to not be a stupid teen show (gag at almost every single western teen show, not just the bad acting...) but was almost without exception less sexual than any of the aforementioned western teen shows.
I can still remember patiently watching 21 episodes of Shining Inheritance to be rewarded with a kiss! Now that's what I'm talking about!
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This review may contain spoilers
If this was an arthouse film this would be called a role model perfection. The shots and the sets were gorgeous with so much intricate detail that colored the characters and the mood of the story. The two leads were also beautiful in their own ways and flaws, and their contrasting roles emphasized their beauty. I was satisfied with all the artistic content the film delivered, loved the two women, and the story with its plot twists kept my attention. The two women and their feistiness made them quirky, but then the whole film was pleasingly eccentric which made it even more erotic. Kim Min Hee was dazzling as an innocent to a literal fox with her seductiveness and the same goes for Kim Tae Ri with her wits which flipped to a loyal companion once Min Hee revealed her true colors as well.
This is probably because of preference but I was put off by how eroticism influenced all the characters. I became bored with it and rather disgusted as it just ramped up the farther along the story went but then that was one of the points of the film so I can't negate it for that. The use of bells was the one thing that really confused and towards the end I started trying to figure that out more than focusing on the movie.
Overall if you're looking for a gorgeous film with atypical characters in unpredictable settings, this is definitely a recommend.
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lesbians scamming men!
what more can i say aside from everything about it is absolutely perfect.while the story was mostly dark and grim, there were parts in which the tone was light and funny, and i think the way this film was executed overall was so clever. the plot twists were obviously well-thought and i would like to applaud the writer for it. to be honest, i haven't really found an undoubtedly excellent sapphic film until i watched this one. i would recommend this to everyone who are looking for great wlw media, but also please do check content warnings before going into it.
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While watching it, I felt so intrigued by the acting. It's done flawlessly and I can truthfully say that it's gripping and beautifully shot. It also does very well in terms of representing the lesbian relationship between the two characters, showing how they built up the dynamic of their relationship.
Odd little side note, but I also loved the trailer. It's the first thing that drew me in.
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The story was phenomenal! There were so many plot twists which I wasn't expecting at all and also many flashbacks to the past but it wasn't confusing at all. Everything was honestly explained so well. The cinematography was also very beautiful.
The acting was soooo good, especially the two lead actresses did such a great job. Their chemistry was outstanding in both the normal and sexual scenes. There are like three of them and one is nearly five minutes long and uncensored so be at least 18 before you watch this movie.
I highly recommend this movie!
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This review may contain spoilers
I Get why y'all Like this Film so Much
[Watched/Written 1/5/2021 for Letterboxd. Expanded 1/23/2021]There was a moment, at the end of Act I of "The Handmaiden" where I was seriously considering turning this film off. The expectation of a lesbian love story (within repressed boundaries) seemed entirely out of the question as the film followed the newly christened Tamako (Sookee, a name that unfortunately invokes True Blood's Sookie) as she and her partner-in-crime (Lord Fujiwara) prepared to swindle a absent-minded heiress out of her money.
I was like, "Oh, a heist film?" Poor folks robbing the rich and leaving 'em high and dry is my jam, and I was entirely convinced that Sookee was going to ride off into the sunset with Lady Hideko's money. So, imagine my surprise when I watched (gobsmacked) as Lord Fujiwara betrayed her.
The injustice of it all, I thought. I rated it, turned the television off and went to bed I was so salty.
Revisiting it in the morning, those thoughts quickly vanished as I watched film roll back the intentions under everything that happened in the first act, and do it so deftly, that I was left with only a sense of catharsis as Hideko and Sookee twisted their way out of the abusive dynamics they fell victim to, and secure a happy life for themselves.
I tend to avoid films like "The Handmaiden". The very name invokes so many ideas established around "erotic adultery" films (particularly their tendency to wander into the realm of rape-as-romance).
I was prepared to write it off as another exploitative smut-fest hiding behind a same sex relationship (ah-la "Blue is the Warmest Color"), a film without positive returns (i.e., a worthwhile story, with performances and directing to back it up, like "3-Iron"). But, like, yeah, I get why y'all like this film so much.
I hope Sookee and Hideko lived long and happy lives.
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