Don't think it's melodramatic and depressing ..this is actually quite interesting
Gripping screenplay ..I was eager to see what happens next
The fact that it's a real story ..makes it even more great
Kang ha Neul ..amazing ..he literally lived the character
Deserves huge applause ..been watching his work from sometime ..he came a long way
A must watch !!
I totally recommend !!
Heart touching
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1. As a drama fiend I find the standard movie length way too short . 2. I don't favor true crime stories.(prefer documentary) I've never re-watched a movie so that doesn't count ....So, an 8.5 is actually super high for me because I really can't see how anyone could go wrong watching this for an hour no matter what genre you like.
This is a great movie all on it's own, but if you like Legal, then you'll love this one. It's based on a true story. Which makes it even more riveting and touching. The cast is tops notch and the acting is stellar. The writing is very straightforward. This movie is not draggy or boring anywhere.
A young man is viciously and falsely accused and loses all hope in life after his sentence until a twist of fate in a lawyers life gives the wrongfully accused an opportunity for a new trial. Sounds simple. The movie is anything but. It shows the harsh reality of police, prosecutor and judicial system corruption. Your heart will bleed and teeth will clench. It takes you high with hope, then tramples you hard. The hero lawyer is not played in a dramatic showy way, he was very human a little jaded and down trodden but with a sense of justice that's still pure. I got a really good reminder toward the end, to be careful who I let my guard down with. People you think you know well will gut you without even a good blink.
It's a good ending in keeping of course with the real story.
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This review may contain spoilers
WHAT THE ACTUAL F***.i cried like a baby watching this, this was such a difficult watch.
my two biggest criticisms of this movie:
1. the star of this movie is the innocent man who was incarcerated for forced false confession of a murder charge, so when the director took the creative liberty to tell this story from the perspective of a shady lawyer who turned a good one because of this case (and a "good" lawyer turned bad), i feel like it took away the actual re-trial that should have unfortunately been included in the movie.
2. which brings me to point no. 2, the ending i find unsatisfying because the actual outcome of the re-trial is only given to us in the ending credit; i think the movie would have been so much better if the re-trial process is documented in the movie itself, something like Juror 8. i personally would have appreciated it better if the lawyer is an upright one from the start (like the actual lawyer who represented the defendant in the re-trial), and we get to see more of his actual efforts to overcome the investigation stumbling blocks and present new evidence/witness in the court.
i had extremely strong emotional roller coasters watching this. honestly, i have not seen a bigger trash of a detective anywhere in dramaland but this one. he's not a grey character anymore, but honestly a downright satan. NO DETECTIVE IN THEIR RIGHT MIND WOULD FORCE A FALSE MURDER CONFESSION OUT OF SOMEONE IN A SHADY MOTEL SOMEWHERE, INSTEAD OF IN THE POLICE STATION WHAT THE FCKIN HELL.
i have seen some videos about prisoners in the USA who were freed and cleared of their murder charges after a re-trial after the DNA technology has developed, but that's more on the weakness on the growing development of forensic science at the time, rather than a deliberate act of oppression by the investigating officer.
I am so insanely mad that this thing actually happened to someone, because i would not in the wildest of my imagination have believed that this was based on a true story if i wasn't told.
bless all the lawyers who try to correct an injustice by using the law, and my solidarity to all the people who were wrongfully accused of any criminal charges in real life :(
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One of Korea’s finest films with excellent script, direction, and terrific performances by the two main leads. The story is based on a real miscarriage of justice and a lawyer who becomes the attorney and man he was meant to be through his hard work to clear a completely innocent young man. Strongly recommended as still one more entry in the growing cache of great Korean dramas and films from the best filmmakers in the world today. My only caveat is some scenes are graphic, wrenching, and heartbreaking, but they had to be to tell the truth, so steel yourself. Otherwise, the story is inspiring and lifting, and I think viewers will love both leads and the characters they play, so settle in for a great film.
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The story is bonechilling, because it is based on true events. Knowing this fact this movie will move you to tears, at least I did. I sat on the edge of my seat, my anger grew at times and I could feel the despair.
The cast was also marvellous. I felt with them though every emotion and made their characters jump out of this movie. They did a honor for the family who sadly had gone through these events.
The music fitted every scene and I would 100% rewatch this movie.
Everyone should watch this, because it's based on real events, it opens up your eyes and you'll be in a rollercoaster ride with this movie!
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The acting was on point for all of the actors. Kang Haneul displayed the character perfectly, also the actor who represents the lawyer. And the actress which portrays the blind mother did a pretty good job too!
I can't say I have disliked something in particular. I can only say my own feeling is just 8.0 not 10. I don't find the movie too much touching, but it can be this way because I'm getting used to this kind of movies.
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