Firstly, I did NOT expect for this movie to impact me this way. From the beginning I was thoroughly creeped out by the stalkerish antics of the male lead, but as the story progressed I slowly came to realize he had his issues and reasons behind the unusual choices he made. I found myself so intrigued by the actions and thought processes of this assassin that it was enough of a pull for me to continue on with the story. I'm still a bit startled at the fact that I can connect with the feelings of an odd assassin but eh, at least I'm not afraid to admit it. :P The female lead was as equally strange but understandably so. I mean, who can actually call themselves "normal" when they are in love? Is there really a "normal" love story? And who would've thought her innocent love would turn out to be so dangerous?
Secondly, what great acting of ALL the characters! Jung Woo Sung did an excellent job in portraying both an awkward/sketchy loner and a dangerous assassin. Because of this, every action, every emotion felt real and I found myself totally convinced by the love and the danger it entailed. Nothing was ever overly exaggerated or over emphasized. The mood was so subtle and yet so haunting. Really. I find myself thinking about the "what if" scenarios constantly. However, with that being said, if he wasn't such an attractive fellow, I doubt I would be so easily forgiving of his "stalker-like" nature. What a shallow thing to say, I know! I hate saying it, but it's true. >.<
The music was also fantastic. Call me crazy, but I felt as though half of the story was told through the music itself. It was pleasantly in sync with the storyline and I found that to be the most appealing aspect behind this movie.
Overall, I thought this was such a strangely fascinating and suspenseful story about a love lost then found. It makes one question what it is that we truly value the most in this life and I'd definitely recommend it to those who are looking for something much more dark and serious than your average rom-com flick.
Was this review helpful to you?
The beginning started of sooo beautifully it was just unbelievable with the dream-like setting. It portrayed the beauty of the Netherlands sooo well, it was just wonderful to see all that nature scenes. And I'm not just saying that because it's my birth country no, I really mean it!
The actors were too good, every one of them played their characters sooo well!!! I fell in love with both the male leads! I couldn't choose who I liked more: Lee Sung Jae who played the role of officer Jeong Woo, or Jung Woo Sung who played the role of assassin Park Yi! and of course i can't forget Jun Ji Hyun, who played the female lead Hye Young. She was just wonderful, she was able to portray the sadness and pain so well. None of the actors exaggerated their characters. It was just perfect!
I totally love the music used in the movie, maybe that's because they used classical/ballads. It was totally in synch with the plot of the movie. I think because of that I ended up enjoying it even more xD
Daisy is now on my list of all time favourite movies
Was this review helpful to you?
I'm not really sure how I thought this movie would go before I started watching it, but I didn't really expect anything that happened. Not gonna lie, the ending kind of shocked me. All in all, I really liked it. The pace of the story may not appeal to everyone but I thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it.
On a side note, the shootouts were actually pretty good. I find most cops in Asian dramas to be really lame and horribly portrayed and any kind of gun battle silly and very unrealistic but I was impressed by this movie. Good job!
Was this review helpful to you?
This movie is classy and very moving. It takes a rare movie to make me think that the movie opened beautifully. That the story and vision behind the script is majestic. The acting superb. That every plot twist was some kind of heart wrenching . . . thing. By the time those credits rolled my mind simply went blank. All I could thing was "holy *beep*!".
The acting in Daisy is impressive and many times I was torn between the two leading men. I knew who I wanted to win the fair maidens hand, but it was so hard at times when both of the actors vying for her so emotionally. Jun Ji Hyun especially surprised me. Up until this point I had only seen her as a comedic actress. Now I'm a fan, this woman can truly act.
Daisy is a title that despite all the positive feedback viewers--well maybe just me--can't really take seriously. This makes my list that any drama newbie, or veteran, should watch. Everything about this movie is top shelf! One of the best films I have ever seen for tragic romances. If I think about it I can't even think of any other tragic romances that can top this one. At the end I felt like bawling. Well done. Well. Done.
Was this review helpful to you?
Reading the synopsis, it felt like a slightly above average interesting adaptation of the same old love triangle. I wish I could travel back in time to two hours ago and smack my younger-self for thinking such a thing about this movie. I've never seen a more breathtaking execution of a veteran plot. The characters of the story were hauntingly realistic and believable. Love makes you do things you wouldn't normally do, we see the characters go through that very naturally.
When you watch this movie, you'll find yourself understanding the mind of an assassin who loves an innocent girl; you'll find yourself aching for the girl who's lost her voice and the man she loves; you'll find yourself wanting to believe there's got to be some good in the world. The story makes a warm spot in your heart and you find yourself so engrossed in it that you forget you're just a spectator. This is the sort of magic that made me love Korean cinema in the first place.
I cannot even begin to describe how awed I am by the performances in this movie. I've only seen Jung Woo Sung in A Moment To Remember before and I'd thought he was amazing, after watching this movie, I take it back. He not just amazing, he's absolutely brilliant. Jeon Ji Hyun doesn't cease to impress me. This is the 3rd work I've seen of hers and all have been great. Every body on the cast did such a spectacular job, definitely worth commending.
What do I say about the music of the film - it's stunning. The incorporation of Classical music into the movie was a touch of perfection to the masterpiece. I enjoy listening to Classical (I'm not into the technical aspect just the vibe and effect that the music has on me) and it was really nice to see the music being used so amazingly. It felt like the soul of the movie, when there weren't dialogues to convey the emotions, the music did the work. Perfect harmony.
If my ratings and the praises above aren't enough of an evident as to how much I loved this movie, then I don't know how else I should convince you to stop thinking and just watch the movie already. I am 100% sure that the moment you see the beautiful scenery and hear the lovely song playing in the background in the first few seconds of the film, you'll be hooked in and that hook is going to be painful to take out by the time the credits start to roll.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED. Don't hesitate one bit.
Was this review helpful to you?
A macabre love story
A macabre love story that will plunge your senses into the dark depths of bewilderment. Two violent men, on the opposite sides of the law, love a woman who has never felt the emotions of love. Which one loves her more? Which one will prevail? To find out, watch this exciting tale of love and death.As usual, Jun Ji Hyun is outstanding in portraying Hye Yeong, the young, innocent artist who wants to experience love. The challenges of this character were way above the norm. Expressing yourself without speaking is a talent, and Ji Hyun has mastered every challenge she’s ever faced.
The two MLs played their part to perfection. Try to decide which one she should be with as you watch. Even after watching it I’m not sure I made the right choice.
This drama is also a lesson on not listening to your coworkers. The depth of stupidity for the plan they hatch out, will boggle your mind.
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
Gianna gives out a outstanding performance as the carefree painter Hye-young. A young woman who has her heart on her sleeve who waits for her true love that has given her daisies for a long time and even build a bridge for her. Thinking its her new friend Jeong Woo...she has actually no idea who it really was. The character of Jeong Woo played by Lee Sung-jae had sadly no emotional depth that could relate me much to him. Fate made him meet Hye-young,but also took him ruthlessly away from her. professional hitman Park Yi played by Woo-sung has a dark charisma that kept you glued to the screen every time he made a appearance,his loneliness shows from his sad expressions...and his doomed love and passion for Hye-young was what made the true spark in this whole film. Them two together on-screen was magic!
Was this review helpful to you?
What drew me to watch "Daisy" is 3 things: Jun Ji-Hyun (also known as Gianna Jun), the intriguing plot and the title, having a friend named the same.
The plot is very drama-worthy and for some reason, its 110 minutes running time felt very short and unbalanced. At times, there is a voice-over by Hyun, at times by either of the two male leads. I didn't really like this approach because it's telling more than showing.
Set in Amsterdam, the setting is very beautiful. With shots from the city, from the countryside and from indoors. What I do admire about "Daisy" is its simplicity. The narrative is certainly simple and easy to follow.
But the way it's edited is overdramatic especially in scenes that don't require it. Over use of fades out may be refreshing but it just doesn't work. And that awkward fade-to-black as if to create dramatic suspense also doesn't work.
That said, the soundtrack is beautiful. The acting was great. It felt very sentimental and I think the cast pushed through. I enjoyed watching but it felt to really tug at you, which for a story like this, would have done well.
Was this review helpful to you?
"For a Killer, Women Are More Dangerous Than Guns"
First of all, there are three versions of "Daisy" on the Internet, each one with a varying length of run time; one version left out an important fact that would cause someone watching that version to know what really happened...this ""armchair" director should be shot and buried without a way of adding other movies to the Internet!Go with the longest version, or stick with one of the movie sites where they only upload the original version of the movie.
"Daisy" was not only a romance, but also a macabre psychological thriller that makes you want to keep your eyes glued to the screen as you watch it...about 40% romance and the rest thriller!
I love the "flashback" method of filling in details when the are needed for a segment of a movie; and I also loved the way that the narrative jumped from Hye-young (Jun Ji-hyun) to Park Yi (Jung Woo-sung) to Jeong Woo (Lee Sung-jae ) as the story unfolded, plus with the excellent music incorporated (including classical, one of my favorites!), it and the psychological aspects made this so mesmerizing as the movie progressed.
The main cast are superb together: Hye-young , a 24 year old virgin, who doesn't know, through no experience, much about dating; Park Yi , who is a professional assassin who takes up flower growing and learning about art and flowers from following Hye-young, who he stumbles upon and starts following as if she is a hobby for him (he is not "stalking" per se, but knows to keep his distance from anyone who may be used to get to him as an assassin); and Jeong Woo, who starts out using Hye-young due to her position doing drawings on the main plaza at first, but then falls in love with her.
To correct the review of another reviewer here, Jeong Woo is investigating drug smuggling, not Park Yi! The drug smugglers are operating near where Hye-young makes money drawing people's portraits on her time off.
I wound up watching "Daisy" because I was given a recommendation to watch My Sassy Girl (2001), and if a movie I watch is good, I will watch as many of an actor's or actresses' movies as I can find with English subtitles. I had only seen two of Jun Ji-hyun's movies before this one, which were both comedies.
However, the young lady proved her ability to do drama as well; doing an excellent job as Hye-young; extra kudos for her facial expressions and body language after her becoming mute here. She actually was able to portray the "confusion" of a young girl who had not dated yet in this movie, and was being 'pursued' by the other main cast members. Also the confusion she faced, and appropriately portrayed. I also give her extra kudos for the 'gun' scene, using body gestures, her face and body to convey loathing of Park Yi , yet at the same time showing her inability to do anything, since she was slow but surely falling in love with him as well (in the movie) .
This was the first movie seeing the other two main cast, Jung Woo-sung and Lee Sung-jae. Both did excellent job here, but I cannot compare either with other movies, since I had not seen them act before. If they do as well in other movies as they did in this one, you would be smart to try their other movies as well!
Both did a fantastic job at being interested in Hye-young while playing their role of assassin and Interpol cop, respectfully.
I questioned Jeong Woo not exactly admitting that he was not the daisy provider, but I guess I would have also 'not told the truth' if I was falling in love with Hye-young myself (you guys know what I mean!).
The support cast also did excellent jobs in this movie, playing thier roles and supporting the main story between the three main cast. Correct me if I am wrong, but I believe President Cho (director and actor David Chiang) played the head of the assassin group; the script, especially in his roles, shows that he knew more about Park Yi's life and flaws than Park Yi, did and he played the cool, unemotional assassin head perfectly!
The cinematography was outstanding...I checked out websites on Amsterdam and its surrounding area; this movie does an excellent job of portraying that beauty as well! The internal shots were outstanding as well...
This could have eaily been a "10" movie all-round, but as with many Korean movies I deducted 0.5 off my review for the fact it portrayed what would have actually happened had this been 'real-life"; I love this about Korean movies, but detest it as well!
As I have said before, Shakespeare left America and moved to SE Asia a few decades ago!
CAU TION: have at least a full box of tissue handy if you watch it, especially by yourself!
I rate this just beloe Wedding Dress (2010) More Than Blue (2009), The Millionaire's First Love (2006) and the much-underrated Mural (2011).
RE-WATCH VALUE: Definitely, with Kleenex!
Was this review helpful to you?
Was this review helpful to you?
