This movie has no romance and happy moments in it. It is tense when it begins and remains that way till the end. The direction of this movie is absolutely brilliant and the writing is top notch. The supporting cast was probably not as good as the main leads but both Jang Geun Suk and Jeong Jin Yeong were terrific in their performances. Jang Geun Suk was creepy and hot at the same time in this movie. This has to be his best performance till date.
Overall, it delivered excellently. In spite of being tragic and having a dark theme, it made me smile several times. There were great arguments and defenses put forth while the oppositions accused each other. It was IMPOSSIBLE to figure out the answer. I admire the prosecutors and defendants. I think we almost always forget how difficult their profession is and this movie reminds you just that.
I googled and was surprised to find out that after this came out, the victim's families actually appealed for a re-trial of the case. I can see why. It does provoke that thought in you. Kudos to the director!
I will most definitely watch this movie again because it was so enjoyable. It also has great score in the background. It has never a dull moment and remains consistent. Give this a try if it sounds like it's the genre for you. I totally one hundred percent recommend it.
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All in all, I think the writers, producers, directors, and actors did a wonderful job in the retelling of this story. As I am aware that all movie interpretations of real life stories tend to exaggerate the story for dramatic purposes but regardless I think this movie did justice for the case. The case was reopened since the release of this movie and new details has surfaced along with progress of a possible conviction.
I came for Jang Geun Suk but stayed for the suspense of the outcome. The main cast, which I am calling the Korean cast, did a wonderful job and the secondary cast, which I am calling the American cast, did a good job. If I had to grade the American cast, I would give them a B- because they did a better job then any other inexperienced American actor in a Korean film or drama. This is my opinion but I will go as far as saying "Trust me, you will feel the same way"
The directional pace of the movie was on point. It grabbed your attention from the very beginning and kept it to the very end. The cinematography was dark, creepy and emotional. I don't have anything bad to say about this movie. It's a must see especially if you want to see Jang Geun Suk play out of his usual character. It took me a moment to get use to seeing him in some cornrows (braids) and speaking English but he was HAWT nonetheless :)
Also if you are wondering why I scored a 7 on the music score and 6 on rewatch value, it's only because I don't remember the score because I was to involved with the movie and I rarely rewatch movies unless a few years go by.
The only complaint I do have is since there are new changes to the case there should be an addendum to the ending credits. If there is a re-release of a DVD version, then I stand corrected.
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Unfortunately, the end is evidence that justice often is fiction.
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Brilliant execution of such a hauntingly grave case. The perfect amount of drama and theatrics. A depiction of the real life story that does justice to it. I read about the case when I came across this movie but couldn't watch the movie at that time. I didn't know what I was missing out on.
I know the English language and Korean actors have an awkward relationship but Jang Geun Suk did fairly well considering everything. And his acting, bravo! I became a fan all over again. One minute you're sure he's not the killer and the next, with a slight change of his expression you start doubting that conviction. That reminds me of Prosecutor Park, what a brilliant performance by that man! Great work by each and everyone in fact. It could have turned out to be a dull movie because of the lack of any thrilling turn of events or twists, but it managed to hold my attention through every second.
The music was fitting as the focus was supposed to be on the actors and the scenes and not the music. It provided just the right amount of feel to the scenes so that they'd have more impact but wouldn't distract the viewer either. Good background score!
I wouldn't be able to rewatch the movie though, not because it wasn't great, it was truly amazing, but only because watching it the second time would frustrate me even more. Being faced with the fact that in real life things are not always right in the end is a really demoralizing thought. But the unfairness of it all just makes me really sad. But a great movie nonetheless.
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This review may contain spoilers
Jang Keun Suk, you bad boy!
wow, finally got around to watch this.i am honestly happy that this movie was made and it stirred enough interest with the public to re-open the investigation and have the real murderer caught and extradited back to South Korea for sentencing after 18 years have passed. amazing what movies or art pieces can do to help serve justice.
when i watched the movie, i really could not understand why was the victim suddenly murdered brutally in the bathroom of that Burger King restaurant, i mean of all places for God sake. turned out i watched a commentary video about this case and they reaffirmed that the victim was truly innocent, and he was simply 'at fault' for being at the wrong place at the wrong time. my heart truly breaks at this. i mean we can literally say no one deserved to be killed unless that person is as evil as a satan, and for someone to be killed just for the fun of it. it's beyond despicable. literally, there are so many possible motives for a murder like revenge, jealousy, robbery, accidental manslaughter and etc, but to have no exact motive to kill someone and do it so brutally like that...is just insane to think about!
i am not someone who do well with these kinds of stories. the movie is as straightforward as it gets (i mean it's not an original script, rather a story that was developed from research to the case materials), almost a total re-enaction of what happened to the two main suspects. i don't care much about the other guy, but i thought Jang Keun Suk played the character of Robert J. Pearson really well especially when he acted like he was the real culprit all along, behind the prosecutor's back. that insinuation of him being the real killer is quite remarkable because after the DNA confirmation, the investigators indeed confirmed that he was the real culprit back then. this is Jang Keun Suk's first dark role he has played and i don't think he has played something like this after it. i hope he can do something similar to this in the future.
the scene when the youngsters were at the Burger King restaurant hanging out the night before the murder happened, so many vulgar words were spoken that i thought my ears were bleeding from hearing them. can never get used to this much swearing in Korean movies, LOL.
to the real-life victim Jo Joong Pil, R.I.P. and i also hope that your family can at least find peace that the real killer has finally been caught. truly, utterly heartbreaking.
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Actually I think Jang Geun Seuk was playing too hard for looking badass for a character that should look innocent. But still he is good. Prosecutor was pretty good too.
HOW MANY TIMES DID YOU KILL SONG JOONG KI?! Poor dude was killed few times.
Movie could be little longer. Since the've made a story out of a case, they should've been add some interesting details.
There was NO MUSIC.(nothing notable)
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It was really cool to see Jang Keun Suk play such a twisted character; his acting was spectacular and he speaks English! The movie was really intriguing and had you thinking you knew who did it, only to switch your opinion again and again.
I recommend this to anyone! If you're not satisfied with not knowing the answer, check out the Wikipedia article AFTER you watch the movie. The case was reopened after the movie and culprit was found from DNA testing, 14 years after the murder occurred.
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