Review of Nameless Gangster (2012) by Jason K — 20 May 2014

Nameless Gangster: Rules of the Time (Bumchoiwaui Junjaeng; "War on Crime: The Golden Age of the Bad Guys") - South Korean gangster film co-produced, written and directed by Yoon Jong-bin. Starring Choi Min-sik (Oldboy), Ha Jung-woo. For the role Choi put on weight (10kg). Film received several accolades and nominations at Baeksang Arts Awards, Buil Film Awards, Grand Bell Awards, Asia Pacific Screen Awards, Blue Dragon Film Awards, Busan Film Critics Award and Asian Film Awards. Nameless Gangster is said to have been inspired from the real events emanating from the decade 80s-90s, when South Korea was ruled by rampant street low-life thugs and gangsters - until an operation was executed under direct orders from the Korean presidency. Time has frequently equated it with Martin Scorsese's Goodfellas - and further says, that this should be what may make Scorsese proud of.

Set in Busan (South Korea) early 80s - the film starts with footage from the period showing massive crack-down on crime-gangs, after country's President Roh Tae-woo declares war on gang-crimes - who'd vowed during election-campaign to rid country of corruption and crime. Choi Ik-hyun (Choi Min-sik) is handcuffed and behind the bar where he's visited by country Attorney-General, who asks him to write his confession about his involvement with the gangs (which he denies, and gets a beat for this).

Film than jumps back to the past, showing the rise of Choi as beneficial to crime-syndicate. He works as custom officer of mere rank at shipyard. He owns lovely family (a wife - 2 daughters and small son). He seems to have reach to influential governmental, official bodies - based on his clan-name he uses it to persuade the people to help him out from grave situations, often using it to receive favors and sympathy. In deep down he's neither coward nor a brave person. One day he finds 10kg of heroin in the container which his colleague takes him to a young handsome looking drug-dealer Choi Hyung-bai (Ha Jung-woo). After learning the clan-name (Choi), Choi rebukes him and asks him to bow before him - soon he's shown getting slaps after slaps from Hyung-bai's bodyguard. Choi reaches out to his old father who scolds Hyung-bae for treating him that way and further informs him that Choi had actually helped him during his boat-operating days. This sets of long-lasting partnership between Choi and Hyung-bai - Choi tells him, 'I have got brain and you've got muscles - let's use them to grow as one'.

I tried to play this movie to get a preview of it but then decided to continue it - because I was fascinated by the pace and settings in it. Remarkable indeed, this concludes the reasonable assumption that Korean cinema has taken correct path to achieve its goals of becoming one of the finest cinemas from largest continent (Asia). What is there to learn more about acting when you have name like 'Choi Min-sik' and 'Ha Jung-woo'; but it's actually Min-sik who steals the show. He has continued his rhythm of bearing sensitive approach that he shown in 'Oldboy' and 'I Saw The Devil'.

Nameless Gangster should be regarded long after this in milieu of movies that became pioneers to set standards for South Korean cinema. Go ahead and enjoy the brain and genius tactics that Choi applies to get his assignments done - that even Michael Corleone or others used little for their scenes.