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An Awesome Action Film That Almost Came From "Nowhere"!!
-
Apr 28, 2011
- by woopak_the_thrill
- posted in ASIANatomy
Rating:
Would you like to know what was the highest-grossing film in South Korea in 2010? Made such a huge impact that it even shattered the records set by Hollywood blockbusters during that year? It was director Lee Jeong-Beom’s “The Man From Nowhere” that stars Won Bin (Mother) and was received with high critical acclaim all over Asia and Europe. This film reminded me of the many reasons why I got into Korean Cinema a few years ago and it is a wonderfully awesome action film that remembers that human action heroes always hit a home run.
+5
Cha Tae-Sik (Won Bin) is a man who enjoys an uneventful life running a pawn shop in an old dilapidated tenement in a Korean town. He likes to keep a low profile, keeping thing casual and his only real friendship (if somewhat odd) is one with a small girl named Soo-Mi (Kim Sae-Ron) who lives nearby. However, So-mi’s mom (Kim Hyo-Seo) is a junkie and gets mixed up with the wrong people; so one day her dealings catches up to her as trouble comes knocking at their doorstep. Tae-Sik defends himself and quickly dispatches two of the thugs leaving them quite impressed. Now, Tae-Sik has become involved in a the drug dealings of the Man-Seok and Jung-Seok, as they decide to use him as a messenger in exchange for So-mi’s life. With the police after him after the murder of a certain Mr. Oh, Tae-Sik must do what he can to track down the drug-dealings and rescue So-mi. But just who is Tae-Sik….where did he get his skills that put both thugs and cops to shame?
At first impression, “The Man From Nowhere” seems to borrow elements from “The Professional” (with Jean Reno) but then it quickly supersedes that small similarity. What the direction and the script does extremely well is the way it seemed to take its time to develop its plot and characters. From the supporting characters, to the villains and to the two protagonists, Lee makes them breathe as if they have lives of their own. Each glimpse into their lives have a purpose, each scene has a meaning and he remembers to give them a personality; however brief their screen time may be. Once he manages to draw you into its story, Lee then begins to get running room and develop steam the more you get into the film. Once he picks up momentum, Lee never stops and just enthralls the viewer with nicely-placed action sequences, heroic drama and realistic fight choreography.
The characters in “The Man From Nowhere” are easy to relate to; it is true that some supporting characters carry clichés and stereotypes, but it Lee carefully makes them exactly what he intended them to be. So-Mi is a kid (marvelously portrayed by Kim Sae-Ron) and she is easily the most likable of the bunch; one look at her and you will easily be taken in by her angelic eyes. The bad guys are despicably bad, they are evil and ruthless; they seem to do every dirty business just for the hell of it. From drugs and black-marketing human organs, the two brothers (played by Kim Hee-Won and Kim Sung-Oh) display a manic behavior that may seem to make them a tad cartoonish, but it is what makes them creepy in their own way. Kids, junkies and hookers play a part in their game and this is what makes the characters and the plot feed off each other to reach perfection. Lee never forgets to involve the cops and they aren’t stupid; the two detectives are right in the middle of everything as their investigations play a significance to the development of the enigma that is Tae-Sik. There is also a very nice surprise that concerns a certain assassin.
It was wonderful for the direction to play the Tae-Sik character as an enigma as long as it could. I admit, that the mystery of his considerable skills came as no surprise; but I suppose it was a way to keep things grounded and real. What I liked about the screenplay is the manner that it remembers to inject a dramatic effect to all his “bad-assery”. Tae-Sik is human and he has his issues, and in a way, his relationship with So-Mi may be the only thing that gives him reason to move on. It was nice for the direction to not reveal everything until the last opportune moment; it was proof of Lee’s commitment to a methodical style that took its time. The film also has its small share of philosophical moments ala- “A Bittersweet Life” and it succeeds in giving an answer as to how, what and why Tae-Sik is the way he was. Not to say that "The Man From Nowhere" is all about action and drama, Lee remembers to inject some grim humor amid all the bloody encounters and mayhem.
The film has quite a good number of nicely placed action sequences. The direction keeps things moving at a very brisk pace. From the beginning credits to the police station to the encounters with the assassin called Ramrowan (Thanayong Wongtrakul) up to the final showdown, the direction manages to sustain my attention as there were times that I may have forgotten to breathe. The climactic final encounter consists of gunfights, some martial arts moves and knife-play; all were brilliantly choreographed and realistically staged. The film is very bloody, and quite graphic in its display of violence; but it remembers to keep things restrained on some areas as I was glad some graphic brutality was only hinted at (there are graphic images and nudity). The film is also very polished and as with most Korean movies, the cinematography by Lee Tae-Yoon is excellent. The use of shadows and the way the some scenes were bright exuded the needed mood and tone. Lee also makes use of some nifty editing trickery to make the film look very cool.
Lee Jeong-Beom’s “The Man From Nowhere” is a fine example as to how action movies should be made. Stylish, realistic and has a heart, the film remembers that action heroes are human. We all need something in our lives and there are things worth fighting for. The film is one thrilling action masterpiece and I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; whoever said that Korean/Asian directors cannot keep up with the big shots of Hollywood deserve a “spider finger jab” to the face.
“Live For Today and Not For Tomorrow….”
“The Past is History, the Future a Mystery, and Today is a Gift….which is why it is called the ‘Present’.”
Highest Possible Recommendation!! [5- Out of 5 Stars]
Note: Please watch this in the original TRI-lingual Langauge track with the English subtitles as it preserves the thought, mood and tone. The English dub is inaccurate.
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More The Man from Nowhere reviews
South Korea’s mega-popular THE MAN FROM NOWHERE was successful for very good reasons, so many that there’s no way I could touch upon all of them in a single review. Suffice it to say that it’s an action picture whose formula is broad enough to appeal to men (once the action starts, there’s never a dull moment), women (there’s a strong through-line about caring for society’s lost children), male teens (who wouldn’t want to be as coolly quiet as the … more
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If Kill Bill had more sophistication and class, if The Professional had a tear jerker ending... it would be The Man From Nowhere. The story is simple, a man left with nothing enduring his solitude has no interest in caring for anyone but himself. He just so happens to be ex-special forces. Billed as Korea's top billing film of 2010 and rated R for intense violence and implied gruesome acts, it's considered a Action-Thriller. The Man … more
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About the reviewer
William (woopak_the_thrill)
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Please "Like" Film and Movies and Keep the Economy strong....LOL!! My Interests: Movies, Anime, History, Martial … more
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About this movie
Director:
Jeong-beom Lee
Genre:
Action,
Crime,
Thriller
Release Date:
5 August 2010 (South Korea)
MPAA Rating:
R
Screen Writer:
Jeong-beom Lee
First to Review
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By the way, Orlok eyes beat all. I win.
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woopak is unbeatable! LOL!!