A very well made Greek style Korean tragedy.

Rating: 8/10 (12 November 2006)

This is not a film for puritans, conservatives and anyone who can't see art for what it really is. This is a film obviously inspired by ancient Greek tragedies such as Oresteia or Oedipus tyrannous. The tragic elements and the catharsis are set exactly as in a Greek tragedy. Even the self inflicted punishment is here. This is a real masterpiece in all levels. The acting is just unbelievable, the direction is amongst the best I have seen in the past couple of years. The cinematography is wonderful.
I will not comment on the scenario because as I already said it is based on pieces of literature that have been loved and admired for thousands of years. This movie manages like few others, to induce both sympathy, fear, rage and tears in you. The protagonist is far from a villain. He is merely a victim of a villain and he just wants his life back. It is on my top 300 list.
Whoever didn't get the plot and found it confusing, I guess they watched it without subtitles...