Such promise, let down by a poor ending

Rating: 5/10 (10 April 2008)

I felt compelled to write a quick criticism of a film which I enjoyed, but was nevertheless disappointed with. This film held some superb acting and some superb dialogue, however it was marred by a frankly pathetic ending (the last 20 minutes were without structure or directorial construct) and some cringeworthy writing. I am a great fan or Korean cinema, however I also understand that not all writing need be in a faux-haiku style. Though much must be lost in translation, there are metaphors, similies and general speeches which make little or no sense, hugely detracting from the atmosphere of the piece.
Other than these critisisms, the film was overall a very good watch. How it has achieved an 8.2 rating I do not know, however to each their own. I was disappointed with what seemed like a hugely sold-out, Hollywood-ised twist at the end of the film; a structure which is no longer shocking or surprising, and which detracted from an otherwise atmospheric and effective piece of film-making.
Far better than the majority of films being released at the moment, however still falling into many of the same pit-falls.