Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002, dir. Chan-wook Park)

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002, dir. Chan-wook Park)

What Is It?: A revenge thriller, of sorts, about a young deaf-mute man trying to find a kidney for his dying sister and a manager at a industrial plant just living and the terrible acts brought upon them by themselves and others.

What About It?: This is the first in Park's "Vengeance Trilogy" (the others being the phenomenal Oldboy and Lady Vengeance) and it's an impressive piece of work, though difficult to describe its ways. It's a slow-moving film, with beautifully drawn characters and the craft that Park brings to the affair is stunning. We can't think of another recent filmmaker who has appeared so assured and is so gifted on so many different levels. That said, this is not for the weak-hearted. Though nothing as gory as many of its Asia Extreme brethren, it still is punctuated with a brutality that could be hard to take for some viewers.

Why Should I See It?: Because you want to see a movie from the most vibrant and alive film scene in the world. South Korea is at the vanguard of East Asian cinema, and Park is one of their shining stars. A must-see.

What Else Is It Like?: Fireworks, Bad Guy, Fallen Angels.

When Is It Playing Until ON DEMAND?: 11/28/06

Watch It ON DEMAND On Comcast Cable.

-- ddt/pdx

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