This is a tricky title to review. It is one of my favourite films, but has significant problems which drag it down.
This was an ambitious project, a Chinese-style wuxia film made by a Korean studio, set in China with a Korean lead. It is set in the last days of Mongol rule in China, and follows a swordsman named Jinha and his tragic love affair with his childhood sweetheart.
It was initially intended to be a drama with action elements, but was altered to an action film with dramatic elements before release. This is painfully obvious during a couple of the fight scenes which were tacked on after this change. It also means that much of the exposition was removed, which I personally liked since it allows the main character to keep an air of mystery, but some people may have problems with it. As is typical for Korean films, Bichunmoo does not actually tell the viewer when it jumps in time, and these elements combine to make the film confusing. I had to see it three times before I got all the intrigue straight.
The lead actors are what really sell this. In wuxia tradition, this is a film about revenge, tragedy and overblown melodrama, which can easily become silly, but is very effective when it is done well. Many of the dramatic twists and turns are predictable, but they still carry weight because of the actors' work. Even though there is little here you haven't seen before, you still feel for the characters.
Recommended.
This was an ambitious project, a Chinese-style wuxia film made by a Korean studio, set in China with a Korean lead. It is set in the last days of Mongol rule in China, and follows a swordsman named Jinha and his tragic love affair with his childhood sweetheart.
It was initially intended to be a drama with action elements, but was altered to an action film with dramatic elements before release. This is painfully obvious during a couple of the fight scenes which were tacked on after this change. It also means that much of the exposition was removed, which I personally liked since it allows the main character to keep an air of mystery, but some people may have problems with it. As is typical for Korean films, Bichunmoo does not actually tell the viewer when it jumps in time, and these elements combine to make the film confusing. I had to see it three times before I got all the intrigue straight.
The lead actors are what really sell this. In wuxia tradition, this is a film about revenge, tragedy and overblown melodrama, which can easily become silly, but is very effective when it is done well. Many of the dramatic twists and turns are predictable, but they still carry weight because of the actors' work. Even though there is little here you haven't seen before, you still feel for the characters.
Recommended.