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Overrated

A different way of telling a story

Pretty good movie overall. First half was nothing special but it got better as it went along.

The story-telling is good with flashbacks.The film is both funny and heartbreaking. You smile in a scene and get a soulcrushing revelation in the next.

Kim Sun-woo works as a hotel manager, he is also a fiercely loyal enforcer for Mr Kang, a powerful crime boss. When Kang goes to Shanghai he tells Sun-woo that he suspects his girlfriend is involved with another man; Sun-woo is to find out if she is and if so 'deal with her'. Sun-woo discovers that she is indeed having an affair but rather than killing her he shows mercy; When Kang finds out he is livid. Sun-woo has also annoyed Baek Dae-sik, another crime boss. The latter's men beat Sun-woo and bundle him into a van; he is surprised when they hand him over to Kang's men. They further torture him with every intention of killing him. He manages to get away though and sets about preparing to hunt down those who want him dead… things are going to get bloody.If you enjoy revenge thrillers then you should love this; the action is intense and fairly brutal. Don't expect beautifully choreographed martial arts; the fights are intense and look real… even if Sun-woo seems to take unbelievable damage and sill carry on. He is beaten, buried alive, shot and stabbed and still keeps heading towards Kang. Given how brutal it is at times it is a little surprising that there were also a few really funny moments; mostly when he is trying to buy guns off a group of arms dealers. Lee Byung-hun, who plays Sun-woo, is rarely off screen and does a fantastic job making us believe in and sympathise with the character. The rest of the cast are pretty impressive too. Director Kim Jee-woon does a great job creating a brilliant atmosphere and making a very stylish film. Overall I'd definitely recommend this to fans of the genre.These comments are based on watching the film in Korean with English subtitles.

A Bitter Sweet life adds a hardcore blood fest to the list of films under the revenge flick genre. It's a pretty stereotypical revenge film about mobsters and the backstabbing behind the scenes. If A Bittersweet Life was to add anything new to the formula it would be the 'how big is a mistake' question into play, which ultimately starts the onslaught of gangsters in all sorts of gory fun fashion.Though nothing truly original, A Bittersweet Life adds a Korean twist on all things gory and revengey. You wont be telling your friends about this one in too much of a hurry, but for the most part it does it's job, despite some off-paced story.

This is how mafia films should be and how I love them. Since its Korean obviously a little raw,sharp Round the edges and leaves you with a sour taste in taste in your mouth. Along with the obligatory oh what did I just watch moment. Haven't seen such a fine mafia film for a while, while Hollywood tries to turn Mafia films in summer block busters Korea is still doing it right. The difference between a modern Hollywood thriller and Korean cinema is that you question yourself is he going to live, is he? And often you are (un) pleasantly surprised.The film follows a crime boss and his enforcer, who happens to be a man of honor in his own sense and not a big fan of well words. The film is a single story line but branches off, rivalry between different mafia houses, the chiefs girlfriend, the enforcer, love, revenge, a whole lot of kicking ass and broken bones. But simply put its a story about doing what's right and love, more importantly this still is a better love story than twilight. Not a lot of films in this genre leave a big smile on your face when they end this with its irony does.The other major difference would be feeling empathy, while Sundance and other festival showcase the hard hitting dramas of Hollywood, pick a Korean action film and it still would make you feel something.The cinematography is phenomenal it doesn't go crazy with color tones and doesn't care much about CGI its all really nicely thought out shots and well done stunts. There are some gorgeous frames that you don't see everyday and the way they show you something happening without explaining the whole thing or body is just beautiful.Bonus points for gangster film with no nudity and well there is gore lots of it, you don't like blood? This one isn't for you.The action is paced really nicely there are buildups and then serene moments. If raid is action films headliners done right this is raid without the red bull. Music is a bit of a let down but makes up for it with a great sound mix.This one definitely goes in my must watch list. Also won't watch it again list just because of the sheer intensity of the film.

A dark story of revenge from South Korea, this film manages to be effortlessly cool while at the same time full of suppressed emotion and, eventually, complete chaos. Yes, it's another sometimes devastating Korean gangster story, made with all the slickness and style of far eastern cinema.It's a downbeat and depressing film that explores the very depths of the human condition, and I have to say that I found the main character's journey to be pretty upsetting. Lee Byung-hun went on to bigger things after this (a Hollywood career and I SAW THE DEVIL) and it's no surprise, because he's excellent in the central role: extremely subtle and yet with his eyes brimming with feeling.As the title would indicate, A BITTERSWEET LIFE isn't a feel-good action film with the hero blasting away various well-dressed criminals: this is a crime film in which every action has a consequence, and you can guarantee there won't be a happy ending. It's occasionally disturbing, sometimes blackly funny, and gripping throughout. All of the gangster action you could wish for is here, in spades, and it's very bloody too; however, there's plenty of visual artistry too, and some scenes of breathtaking and touching beauty which transcend the film's genre to reach out and touch the viewer's very heart. The ending, in particular, is quite stunning.