Alice in Earnestland (2015) User Reviews

bloody and gory tales of housewife.

[fluffset · 7/10 · 11 March 2017]

Looks like its been a long time since Korean did some brutal movie like what they always did in the past, especially the one that lead by a woman such as "Bedevilled" (2010) and "Sympathy for Lady Vengeance" (2005). I never read the synopsis, I know that based on the poster it looks like some horror/slasher movie but when the movie starts, Oh! its some gory black comedy, one of Korean best genre that's usually come from Park Chan Wook, one of the South Korean greatest director. So, this movie is an indie movie, a cheap budget one, but honestly, they don't look cheap at all. With a great acting, editing and cinematography whatsoever from a new director, Ahn Gooc-jin. It looks so good, its breathtaking, full of suspense and everything. You don't know what the wife will do for the sake of her beloved husband. Don't underestimate the wife. Its what I learned from this movie. A good brutal movie, enjoy it!

Alice falls once again.

[jim-79880 · 7/10 · 12 October 2019]

This Park Chan wook-esque tale showcases the gloom of reality with its stylish presentation. Gritty colors, gory visuals and fast-paced editing all harmonizes as a one solid work. Extreme plot that drives the film takes away some realistic values, resulting an ironic sense of comedy. This humor eventually comes back as a form of criticism to our current society's conflict-classicism most dominantly. The movie urges the audience to separate themselves from the story by treating itself as a fantasy flick. Hence, Alice in the earnestland. Alice once again has fallen, and once again the line between her reality and her fantasy has been blurred.

Shockingly beautiful and horrific black comedy with lingering violence

[Saanwithhisstupidthoughts · 7/10 · 18 May 2021]

Alice in earnestland is a well acted well written and well shot black comedy drama that keeps you hooked to it from the start to the end.

All thanks to the brilliant and chilling performance of Lee Jung Hyun as this meeky wife of a husband who went into coma and will go to any extend to support her husband and pay her dues.

It's very emotional,tragic,funny,at some times cruel with reoccurring violence and is fastpaced with a duration of almost 90mins.

The plot is convincing yet the ending was a bit disappointing imo.

And also this didn't feel like it was a low-budget movie Everything was near perfect.

Anyways would definitely recommend this to anyone NOT squeamish.

Decent, not great

[mrmachachi · 6/10 · 13 September 2020]

The genre lists it as a comedy, thriller, drama. It is not a comedy. Not even black comedy. It's a depressing tale of a woman who tries to help her recently deaf husband get a cochlear implant, then a series of events go wrong, and he ends up in a coma. At that point she is happy to learn her area is going to be redeveloped, and she might be able to pay off his medical bills. However, a local, manipulative, female therapist forces residents to oppose the redevelopment so it will be done in her area. This leads to vengeance and violence. It is closer to the films like "Lady Vengeance". The only real problem is the third act and especially the resolution, which seem basic and bland. Would I recommend it? Not really. It's like a 5.5 or 6 out of 10. Am I upset I watched it? No. I watch a ton of Asian films, and they are hit or miss. For me, this was overall decent. But I wouldn't rave about it. That's all I can say. Wash your ass and decide if a vengeance film about a meek woman rising to the challenge against anti-housing developers to save her comatose husband sounds good to you.

Silly and bloody fantasy

[shibolleth · 9/10 · 23 August 2020]

There's something about those beutiful Asian ladies that makes me like films with them. Even if they have just a little substance like this one. Yes, it's a bit of weird film, but there's something about women that can't adjust to this world. Just like men, they take their unusual path to get what they need and they never give up. And it becomes messy. And as this film says, you really want best for them just to realize that it can only work in film. Silly and bloody fantasy with a lot of sadness in the background ...

My best South Korean film ever

[tamosoeka · 10/10 · 9 March 2022]

I mean, how could one not jump all over the bed after seeing this?

The mere joy of seeing this film, being lucky enough to cross paths with it, you end up thanking your luck that you found it.

I have watched tons of South Korean movies and so far, nothing beats this one. I wish more works of the director is available for international audience, so I get a chance to see them, too.

I was simply envying that this was a director, after a long, long time, who invented a completely new and his own cinematic language - stunned by the mere fact, that it is still possible.

Could have been a classic!

[buckrogers-13895 · 8/10 · 6 April 2022]

Except for two things, this could be a classic. For starters it is a decent black comedy. But 1) when you bring up a special skill of the protagonist, you need to have a resolution of it at the end of the story. Preferably a skill that gives her a new life a new tomorrow; not just a trick to get out of sticky situations. I guess the other point is making the relationship of the couple a bit more poignant and heartfelt. This allows the audience to invest more into their struggles and sufferings and determination to reach their end. This could well have been a classic Tarantino tribute movie. But still, nice to see a Korean black comedy and a really well acted female main lead. She portrayed well a plain Jane with stubborn grit.