Luck-Key (2016)
Film two of my Korean Week (once again, how original) solidifies my appreciation and faith in Korean cinema. Luck-Key (only slightly more original than Korean Week) is a romantic comedy that far surpasses expectations, and, in my opinion, proves that Korea has mastered cinema.
I'm not a fan of romantic comedies. I appreciate why people like them, but personally I've never liked the cheesy, overly sentimental, badly written movies that they often are. But Luck-Key manages to go beyond those tropes, and be something unique, while still offering the sentimentality and cheese that people enjoy about these films.
The plot is simple, it feels almost western in a way. It wouldn't be out of place to think this could be a film Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg have starred in. Hyung-wook (Hae-jin Yoo, A Taxi Driver) is a hired killer. Jae-sung (Joon Lee, Seoul Station) is a suicidal mess who has no money and is pretty content ending it all. However, just before he does he decides to have a shower in the local public baths, and ends up switching identities with Hyung-wook. Jokes ensue. I'll be the first to admit that this film felt as if it were going to be another The Change Up (David Dobkin, 2011), but that is far from the truth. In reality this is a film about Hyung and how he adjusts to a new way of life, while also being a fairly meta film about acting.
And if that poor description of the plot isn't enough to satisfy your hunger, then allow me to elaborate. This film is surprisingly funny. Not always, in fact not often, but there are great moments of humour. And when it isn't being funny, it's either dramatic, sweet or intriguing. Whether it's moments between Hyung-wook and his love interest or his failed attempts to act, or even Jae-sung uncovering the mystery behind Hyung-wook, there is always something happening, always something to keep you entertained, making the near two hour runtime feel like nothing at all.
Of course the film isn't without faults. For one it is clear that the focus is on Hyung-wook, meaning scenes with Jae-sung are poorly developed. Part of me feels as if this was the point (they even joke about it toward the end), and part of me thinks it's actually really cleverly set up. But another part of me (the cynic inside) feels as if this clever meta narrative is no excuse for poor character development. Furthermore, the development between Jae-sung and his love interest Eun-ju (Ji-Yeon Lim, High Society) is almost non-existent, as the film switches from Jae-sung creepily stalking her, to the two of them being madly in love. While it fits the narrative fine and dandy, it comes out of nowhere and feels tacked on.
But for all the criticism I can give the film, I can only help but shower it with ten times as much praise. The film is a blast to watch (a blast!) from start to finish. It's funny, sweet, endearing and everyone in it looks as if they're having as much fun as I was (which is to say a lot!) It was hard for me not to smile, which is an indication that the film was good, and not overly sentimental like say, I don't know, The Change Up (throwing serious shade.) I honestly had such a good time, and it was fun seeing a different (more blockbuster) side of Korean cinema. It's leagues ahead of anything done in the west (US I'm looking at you) and actually made me feel as if I hadn't wasted my time. This one is a must watch! Go check it out on Netflix. Now!
8/10
I'm not a fan of romantic comedies. I appreciate why people like them, but personally I've never liked the cheesy, overly sentimental, badly written movies that they often are. But Luck-Key manages to go beyond those tropes, and be something unique, while still offering the sentimentality and cheese that people enjoy about these films.
The plot is simple, it feels almost western in a way. It wouldn't be out of place to think this could be a film Adam Sandler and Andy Samberg have starred in. Hyung-wook (Hae-jin Yoo, A Taxi Driver) is a hired killer. Jae-sung (Joon Lee, Seoul Station) is a suicidal mess who has no money and is pretty content ending it all. However, just before he does he decides to have a shower in the local public baths, and ends up switching identities with Hyung-wook. Jokes ensue. I'll be the first to admit that this film felt as if it were going to be another The Change Up (David Dobkin, 2011), but that is far from the truth. In reality this is a film about Hyung and how he adjusts to a new way of life, while also being a fairly meta film about acting.
And if that poor description of the plot isn't enough to satisfy your hunger, then allow me to elaborate. This film is surprisingly funny. Not always, in fact not often, but there are great moments of humour. And when it isn't being funny, it's either dramatic, sweet or intriguing. Whether it's moments between Hyung-wook and his love interest or his failed attempts to act, or even Jae-sung uncovering the mystery behind Hyung-wook, there is always something happening, always something to keep you entertained, making the near two hour runtime feel like nothing at all.
Of course the film isn't without faults. For one it is clear that the focus is on Hyung-wook, meaning scenes with Jae-sung are poorly developed. Part of me feels as if this was the point (they even joke about it toward the end), and part of me thinks it's actually really cleverly set up. But another part of me (the cynic inside) feels as if this clever meta narrative is no excuse for poor character development. Furthermore, the development between Jae-sung and his love interest Eun-ju (Ji-Yeon Lim, High Society) is almost non-existent, as the film switches from Jae-sung creepily stalking her, to the two of them being madly in love. While it fits the narrative fine and dandy, it comes out of nowhere and feels tacked on.
But for all the criticism I can give the film, I can only help but shower it with ten times as much praise. The film is a blast to watch (a blast!) from start to finish. It's funny, sweet, endearing and everyone in it looks as if they're having as much fun as I was (which is to say a lot!) It was hard for me not to smile, which is an indication that the film was good, and not overly sentimental like say, I don't know, The Change Up (throwing serious shade.) I honestly had such a good time, and it was fun seeing a different (more blockbuster) side of Korean cinema. It's leagues ahead of anything done in the west (US I'm looking at you) and actually made me feel as if I hadn't wasted my time. This one is a must watch! Go check it out on Netflix. Now!
8/10
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