Review of The Thieves (1959) by Vilia C — 13 Sep 2012

Toronto International Film Festival 2012. Typical Korean action movie about a Korean master criminal and his followers, loyalty and vengeance ensue. And by typical, I mean that it's lengthy and melodramatic.

I don't know why I give Korean films chance after chance but they never prove me differently. They still make action films that rely far too much on long lost love stories to develop character instead of developing character in other ways - like a snappier script with wittier characters.

Instead, we have the film rely solely on one character (and a talented actress at that, the oh-so-lovely Gianna Jun) to provide the lighter moments in the movie. But anyway, 2 hours and 15 minutes. For a heist crime movie, there is far too much focus on "character development" (read: romance and past memories) than actual action.

The real action doesn't start until the last quarter of the film, and by then, you're kinda squirming in your seat wishing they had trimmed the movie down 30 minutes shorter. Anyhow, yes, the movie was too long, too melodramatic and lacked focus on the plot.

At times I actually forgot that the main plot was about one singular heist to be taken place at a casino. Now if that is to be the climax at the film, then shouldn't this plot point be in the front of my mind at all times during the movie?! Also, the conclusion took way too long to conclude.

I was ready to clap and end the thing about 15 minutes earlier than it did. Sigh.