Review of Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002) by Lorenzo V — 14 Nov 2011

"The bad image kidnappers get is because of kids getting killed. But we're different. Give us the money and we'll return the kid pronto.".

A recently laid off factory worker kidnaps his former boss' daughter, hoping to use the ransom money to pay for his sister's kidney transplant.

REVIEW.

It's only occasionally we see horror films that are also consummate works of art. This Korean story set in a murky world of exploitation and black market organ trafficking has many of the hallmarks of good European cinema - a meticulous attention to detail, beautifully composed shots, subtly interwoven symbolism, cinematography relying on skill rather than big budgets and natural, understated acting. The classiness of the production makes the use of 'video nasty' shots later in the film all the more shocking and effective. The title could be applied to several of the main characters, as they each generate sympathy in their own way in spite of the deadly deeds they feel compelled to perpetrate. Many film noir techniques are also in evidence - we watch scene after scene that grips and often intrigues, but the explanation of what is really happening is maybe only provided in the subsequent scene. Minimal dialogue focuses attention on the plot, internal struggles of the characters and stunning photography - not to mention minimizing any inconvenience that some cinema-goers seem to feel when presented with subtitles. Beautifully framed backdrops will sometimes introduce visually graphic nastiness - or cut to the next scene at the crucial moment, leaving the audience queasily awaiting the denouement of each episode, which always comes, often more gut-churning and original than you could have imagined. The film even adds a suggestion of political comment - the idea that terrorists do not have to be organised in any united sense but may rise up spontaneously to attack what they individually would agree to be a common enemy. This seems less relevant to South Korea now than twenty years ago, or current day impoverished and abused Arab states, but it is subtle enough to be ignored rather than preaching a 'message'. In fact the main impact of Sympathy for Mr Vengeance, if you have a sufficiently strong stomach to watch it, is one of considerable artistic integrity and originality.