Filmbrain recently caught up with two Korean films from 2003 that were both smash hits in their native country - Lee Je-yong's Untold Scandal, and Kwak Jae-yong's The Classic. |
![]() Untold Scandal is an extremely faithful adaptation of Choderlos de Laclos' 18th century novel Les Liaisons Dangereuses, which has been filmed at least a half-dozen times (Dangerous Liaisons, Valmont, Cruel Intentions, etc.) The spin this time is that it is set amongst the aristocracy of the Chosun dynasty (roughly the same period as when the original novel was written). Though the plot remains true to the novel (save for some slight cultural adjustments), this adaptation has a greater emphasis on the love story and the heartbreak, rather than the ruthless behavior of its characters. Though the drama plays out nicely, we wind up caring for the characters a bit more than was originally intended. The three lead actors are magnificent, especially Jeon Do-yeon as Lady Jeong (the Michelle Pfeiffer role), whose transition from chaste widow to mad, passionate lover is truly remarkable. Director Lee doesn't get carried away with the period setting and (thankfully) keeps the film from turning into an overly flashy costume drama targeted to a foreign audience. Untold Scandal isn't an outstanding film, but with its lively pace, excellent cast, and highly erotic sex scenes, it's one definitely worth seeing. [Available on Region 1 DVD.] |
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Filmbrain,
Of all the DANGEROUS LIASONS versions I've seen, I still prefer VALMONT, but UNTOLD SCANDAL is definitely a pleaser as well.
I appreciate how you point out how Kwak appears to have forgotten the parody within MY SASSY GIRL,(if that was indeed how it was intended in MSG, which, after you noted it, I think was intended), with this melodrama that takes itself too seriously. (Although there are moments of parody here as well such as the occassional comedy of missteps, but nowhere near the destruction of the genre we witnessed in MY SASSY GIRL.) One thing about Kwak though, . . . his films are way longer than they need to be. I'm all for an appropriately lengthy film like EUREKA, but this one, and MY SASSY GIRL, could have been much shorter. Personally, I desperately wanted to turn away from THE CLASSIC because it kept dragging. I was like, 'Enough already, JUST END!'' But I've committed my writing to KFilm, so I'm kinda forced to watch them now.
Adam
Posted by: Adam | 2005.04.08 at 03:28 PM
It is hard to say that Kwak did the parody in 'My Sassy
Girl.' I remember that he intended to remind young
generation of Hwang Soon-Won's short novel,
'Sonagi (Cloudbuster) ' in an interview on some film
magazine.
That is, his My Sassy Gilr and The Classic are
his upgraded version of 'Sonagi', and despite his
sensibility, his intention is the same as Im Kwon-Taek.
To remind young generation of old days - either good
or terrible.
Kwak concentrates on his memory of idyllic, pastoral
past, while Im does on traumatic memory related to
Korean historical and social turmoil.
One thing that Kwak's greatnerss or conservativeness
is 'no kiss scene' and 'no sex scene' in these romantic
comedy and melodrama. Without those kind of images,
Kwak adroitly treated the story with beautiful scenery
and attractive characters and female actors.
Posted by: nkw88 | 2005.04.20 at 12:59 PM
It is hard to say that Kwak did the parody in 'My Sassy
Girl.' I remember that he intended to remind young
generation of Hwang Soon-Won's short novel,
'Sonagi (Cloudbuster) ' in an interview on some film
magazine.
That is, his My Sassy Gilr and The Classic are
his upgraded version of 'Sonagi', and despite his
sensibility, his intention is the same as Im Kwon-Taek.
To remind young generation of old days - either good
or terrible.
Kwak concentrates on his memory of idyllic, pastoral
past, while Im does on traumatic memory related to
Korean historical and social turmoil.
One thing that Kwak's greatnerss or conservativeness
is 'no kiss scene' and 'no sex scene' in these romantic
comedy and melodrama. Without those kind of images,
Kwak adroitly treated the story with beautiful scenery
and attractive characters and female actors.
Posted by: nkw88 | 2005.04.20 at 12:59 PM