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Reviews
Kill List (2011)
What did happen in Kiev?
Firstly I would like to say that I really wanted to like this film (doesn't start too well does it?) However I left the cinema feeling both confused and deflated in roughly equal measures.
The film is suitably downbeat, gritty and...well English, however the performances (with the standout exception of Michael Smiley as best friend Gal) were all self-consciously naturalistic, whilst the lead, Neil Maskell was forced to do so much scenery chewing, I almost wanted to put some ketchup on the door frames for him! Poor guy did everything except yell "I'm the daddy" (Ray Winstone has a lot to answer for). I'm certainly not damning the actors for any of this, the criticisms are levelled at the director, who just didn't seem to know what kind of movie he wanted to make, and yes I did see the supernatural hints scattered through the movie, but these abstract flashes (the odd pagan symbol, and some bird in her nightie hanging about outside a hotel window, to name but two) do not a credible subplot make.
Carefully setting up the main characters (without a doubt the most carefully crafted section of the film), and letting us into their fractured lives, we learn that Jay (Maskell) is ex-forces and now working as a hit-man, who after being traumatised by his last job (don't mention Kiev), is now in self-enforced retirement. However,lack of money, a strained home life, and constant bullying by friend Gal force him to change his mind.
Now this is where it all starts to get a little sketchy. Cardboard cutout villains send our lads out to hit cardboard cutout lowlifes. It is not possible to feel anything for these characters as we are told nothing of any substance about any of them. They are there just to be dispatched (as quickly and graphically as possible).
MAJOR SPOILER!
Up to this point we have a fairly straight forward British "kitchen sink"thriller, however as Jay and Gal are sent on their last job we enter the "horror" section. Just like Alice, they crawl from reality through a tunnel (well through a garden gate then) into "Wonderland". It is as black and white as that. After watching a cut price "Get Carter" for an hour, we are suddenly thrust into a positively bargain basement "Wicker Man" for the closing act.
I have no interest in spoiling the story for prospective movie goers, so I will say no more regarding the conclusion. I will however say, that there is a certain amount of "Emperors New Clothes" syndrome regarding this movie. Just championing this film because it is an inexpensive independent British movie from a new director is misguided. We make great movies in this country, and with a little more attention to structure and narrative this could have been one of them. As it is, unfortunately it is a confusing mishmash. It will be interesting to see how it is considered in a few years time when the dust has settled. I do however look forward to what Ben Wheatley does next....Oh and by the way what did happen in Kiev?
Shi gan (2006)
Boy meets girl, girl gets insecure, girl gets major plastic surgery, all ends happily ever after?!
Time is one of Kim KI Duk's more accessible offerings. No less beautiful or challenging than his earlier work, just a little more sympathetic to the viewers sense of "what's going on". The story centres around a couple, and more specifically the woman, who is definitely a little deficient in the self esteem department.
Ji Woo and See Hee are a couple that have been in a steady relationship for some time, but things are getting a little stale, and cracks are beginning to appear between the two of them.
As viewers we see the final breaking point in their local coffee shop.
After flying into a jealous rage when Ji Woo innocently helps two girls who are having a little car trouble, thereby gaining their thanks and, albeit briefly their attention. Convinced that JI Woo is no longer in love with her, and probably seeking attention elsewhere, See Hee decides the only way to keep their relationship fresh, and her man interested is to give him a new woman to fall in love with...HERSELF!
With that she disappears with no word or explanation, only to return six month later after extensive plastic surgery. Literally, a new woman. Meanwhile JI Woo is distraught, wondering where and why the love of his life has gone. Being left to wander dazed through the following days, weeks and months until, completely unaware what is in store for him, See Hees plan to reunite them is set into motion.
However, when, after several carefully engineered meetings, she realises that her plan has badly backfired on her because, despite his obvious physical attraction towards her new creation (this new woman), he is still very much in love with his disappeared soul mate. She realises that the only way to stand any chance of getting him back is to tell him what she has done.
How this is resolved, you will have to find out yourself... just remember you are watching a Kim Ki Duk movie. One reviewer made comment about the trend toward plastic surgery in Korea, however I feel that this is missing the point. This is not about needing a face lift or a boob job this is about losing yourself completely. Total reinvention, total lack of self esteem and self worth. This is not " he will like me better if my nose is straighter". This (more distressingly) is "he will like me better if I am someone else" !
Forget the Korean connection, this is a sad love story about insecurity, jealousy, fidelity and faith. It could have been told in any country in any language. In fact this movie over any of his others I can see being ripe for the inevitable American remake treatment.
All of the directors trademarks are here, the beautiful painterly images, the suppressed anger and brief explosive moments of violence, and of course the quiet lei-surly pace at which he allows the the story to unfold. Stylistically, imagine Greenaway shacked up with Haneke for the weekend, you will get the idea.
Although I understand Kim Ki Duk is not really appreciated in his home country at the moment, I can only hope that with the passing of time (no pun intended) Korea realises that it can, and hopefully will, lay claim to one of the worlds true originals of modern cinema as it's own.