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Title: Lady Vengeance (2006) |
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Review of Lady Vengeance
- The third stop in Chan-wook Park's breathless revenge trilogy, Lady Vengeance comes down slightly--just slightly--from the astonishing highs of middle segment Oldboy. Elegant and ultraviolent in equal measures, Lady Vengeance requires rapt attention from the opening moments, as Park unloads his set-up in a jumble of characters and flashbacks. At the center is a doll-faced ex-con named Geum-ja (Yeong-ae Lee), who just spent 13 years in the slammer for killing a little boy. There's much more to her case than the public knows, and Geum-ja has been carefully, quietly preparing for revenge against the man who put her in this situation. We watch those gears turning throughout the movie, but as Lady Vengeance nears its completion it broadens into an even bigger event than Geum-ja expected. Funny and horrifying, Lady Vengeance is as measured as Geum-ja's own preparations, and has a gorgeous sort of logic about it. As impressive as those machinations are to watch, the movie doesn't make as forceful an argument as Oldboy on just how revenge might be as punishing to the revenge-taker as for his target. Lee is a cool heroine, and Min-sik Choi, who did such heroically exhausting service in Oldboy, is here employed as the monster. (The film's title in the U.S., Lady Vengeance, is different from international title Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, a closer tie to the first part of the trilogy, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance.) --Robert Horton
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Comments for Lady Vengeance
- Posted on 2008-06-17
Artistic and Entertaining...
This is the third film in the vengeance trilogy and the best for my money. It is visually stunning and also gritty. Revenge has never been so artistic and beatiful while being painful and dark. I won't spoil it for any future watchers, but I will say that that the story is gripping and you won't be able to look away. enjoy
Score: 5
- Posted on 2008-04-02
This movie, to put it plainly, sucks
Alright. Let me say this, if you are looking for a really artsy movie that is not entertaining but is unpleasant as well as disturbing this is your movie. Do not be fooled into thinking that you are in for something like Kill Bill, or a Bittersweet Life, or any "cool" violent movie. This movie isn't like them. I cannot beleive I wasted my time on it, and I would recomend that anyone who says this is a good movie or that they enjoyed this movie be institutionalized. And it isn't sophisticated or intilectual either, its like someone was like "wouldn't this be really messed up" and then the director decided to be all artsy about it, life has enough real tribulations. If you like watching movies like this, my advice to you is: move to a third world country and learn something real about life...and don't come back
Score: 1
- Posted on 2008-01-26
Good film, with some reservations
Lady Vengeance, the third installment in Park Chan-Wook trilogy of vengeance is some notches below the masterpiece that was Old Boy (I have not seen the first movie, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance) but it is still a well-made film, worth seeing. In this case, as the title suggests, is a woman who seeks revenge, Lee Geum-Ja, after being held in prison for thirteen years for the murder of a child he did not commit (but was involved in the kidnapping). She was forced to confess to the murder after the murderer, a teacher called Mr. Baek, held her daughter hostage, threatening to kill her. Once in prison (after the murder being covered feverishly by the sensationalist press), she presented herself as a model prisoner, always helping her fellow inmates with a supposedly angelic demeanor. Once she finished her sentence, and she was released from prison, her personality reverted to her true self: that of a cold avenger seeking the death of Mr. Baek. To achieve that, she recruits the help of her former inmates, who owed her for her actions in prison in a variety of ways. Filmed stylishly, the movie works through a complicated scheme of flashbacks and dream sequences, though unlike Old Boy, it is clear from the start who wants revenge from whom (and Lee is so dedicated, we never doubt that she will succeed in her mission). The first hour and a half of the film is really gripping; the last twenty minutes are a complete letdown: the scenes of the parents of other children murdered by Baek discussing justice is really dreadful (as are all the scenes of Lee reuniting with her daughter, in which the film does not shy away from saccharine sentimentality). Still, I recommend this film, with reservations.
Score: 3
- Posted on 2007-11-13
stunning
this movie popped up on my netflix as a "suggestion" and i didn't give it much thought but added it anyway. that was six months ago. i have rented it another two times since and now i'm just going to break down and buy it. i have since seen the other two installments in the revenge trilogy (in backwards order) and this is by far the most thrilling for me. the imagery and soundtrack are stellar and the story is engaging. i'm pretty picky about movies and i'm not easily impressed. this film left more than an impression
Score: 5 - Posted on 2007-10-26
Vengeance is a dish best served COLD! Successfully closes the trilogy....
LADY VENGEANCE (aka. Sympathy for Lady Vengeance) is the third installment in Park Chan-Wook's "vengeance" trilogy, among of which my favorite is the terrific "Oldboy" and the first film ""Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance". These three films have different plotlines and characters; the only thing that ties them together is their similar themes about suffering, revenge and redemption (or the goal for redemption). Fans of the franchise will undoubtedly compare this to "Oldboy" since it cemented Park Chan-Wook's status as a frontrunner of Korean cinema and catapulted him to international stardom beside Kim Ki-Duk and Hong Sang-Soo. One thing with Oldboy and Lady Vengeance (in my opinion are the two best ones of the series); Oldboy is like a shot of the finest Tequila and Lady Vengeance is similar to a shot of the smoothest cognac. Oldboy is scorching fire while Lady Vengeance is ice cold.
Plot synopsis derived from DVD back cover:
After being wrongfully convicted of kidnapping and murdering a young child, a beautiful young woman (Lee Young-ae) is imprisoned for 13 years and forced to give up her own daughter. While in prison, she gains the respect and loyalty of her fellow cellmates. While in prison, she plots her vendetta on the man responsible for her imprisonment. A man called Baek (Oldboy's Choi Min-Sik). Upon her release she sets in motion an elaborate plan of retribution, but what she discovers is a truth so horrifying, even revenge doesn't seem punishment enough...
Park Chan-Wook has the skill to shock and disturb audiences and Korean critics alike with his style and themes, but he doesn't resort to such exploitative lengths as most Japanese film-makers. Lady Vengeance expands more of subtle character study of Geum-ja (Lee Young-ae, she plays goody character in Dae Jang Geum). I believe the film is divided into 3 parts of a whole. First, with a series of flashbacks, Geum-ja is shown as a woman who has found religion while in prison. She becomes well-liked by other inmates and a model prisoner during her 13-year tenure. She is seen as kind, and develops superb baking skills during this period. Finally, she is revealed to be planning an elaborate revenge against Mr. Baek and enlists the aid of her fellow inmates in orchestrating the plan. The 2nd part is Geum-ja pulls a 180 turn from her reputation in prison; she begins to implement her plan into action with the aid of a retired cop. The 3rd part is the emotional/spiritual aftermath of her vengeance against Mr. Baek.
Geum-ja's character is very calculating but very reserved. Her goal for redemption is expressed with her search for her daughter (adopted by an Australian couple); one may say that her child embodies the good things left in her. She is alluring, cool but sorrowful. Lee Young-Ae's performance is excellent; she does a sort of "femme fatale" portrayal of her character. Geum-ja embodies the sheer determination of a person in a difficult situation who has a vision for redemption, but not after she has "closure" from the wronged done her. Geum-ja has become her own mission. She admits her sins and looks for atonement while at the same time plots sheer revenge. Two contrasting human characteristics are explored, which is the real Geum-ja?
Park Chan-Wook's direction is the work of an artist; evolves before our very eyes while improving the finesse and style of the screenplay itself. Fans may complain that Lady Vengeance may lack the sheer intensity, grittiness and toughness of its predecessors but I think it would unfair to expect Park to repeat the raw impact of Oldboy with its uncompromising twists. Lady Vengeance may be a bit slower paced and "gentler" with its style. Park also uses some subtle symbolism embodied with a man-faced dog with a bullet entering its brow and exiting its "vital" genitalia. It has a great, even feel and the proceedings stay grounded. Choi Min-Sik's performance is also note-worthy; he establishes a truly sadistic but pitiable portrayal of Baek. He plays it with a disturbing normalcy despite the character's twisted nature.
The film has its potential flaws; some may feel that the different tone in the 3rd act steers the screenplay a bit off course. It changes its focus to many; some viewers may see the 3rd act as equivalent to an "AA" gathering. However, I rather think it is meant as an expression of Geum-ja's realization that her selfish vengeance should not be that important nor her main focus. The third act is both darkly funny and engrossing. Viewers will have to keep in mind that this is a character study (of sorts) up till its closing credits.
It is to be noted that the film's way of handling violence is a different from its predecessors; much of it occurs off-camera than full view. I think this approach is handled well and delivers a more profound effect. Park considers the situation and succeeds in delivering the violence on a more personal level. I will stop here because with this film, the less you know about the proceedings then the more you'll appreciate its vision.
LADY VENGEANCE successfully closes Park's vengeance trilogy. This trilogy will definitely find its mark as one of the most engaging bits of film-making. I've read that Park is usually accused of making films mostly with his brain and not his heart, I guess that's why he made "I'm a Cyborg, and that's ok". Park is now assured that every film he makes will be anticipated by fans and critics alike.
HIGHLY RECOMMENDED! [4 ½ + stars]
Score: 5