Starring: Jeong Wung-In, Kang Su-Yeon, Choi Jeong-Yun
Director: Park Seung-Bae
Studio: L & C Media
Rating: 18+
Genre: Drama
About This DVD
The Circle is one of the oddest films to come out this year. A combination of
horror, romance, courtroom drama and unintentional comedy, the film will keep
audiences wondering what this confusing ride is all about.
The film starts out with a bang, with the capture of Cho Myong-gu (Jeong Wung-in),
a multiple murderer who has feasted on six women. A painter by trade, Cho likes
to draw colorful abstract patterns on his victims' bodies before his meal.
So what makes this artistically inclined cannibal tick? The movie spends a large
part of its 110 minutes on that question, with the attorneys arguing over the
killer's sanity. The prosecutor (Kang Su-yeon), a tough no-nonsense woman who
literally butts heads to get her way, is aiming for the creep's death sentence.
The defense attorney (Chon Chae-ryong), on the other hand, makes a rather
unusual argument on behalf of his client. He contends that Cho is possessed by
the soul of Gwang-rim, who in the 1930s was involved in a deadly affair with a "kisaengs"
(Korean for geisha). In his attempt to convince the judge, the attorney seeks
the help of psychics, hypnotists and a wealth of circumstantial evidence that
would be thrown out of most courts.
Though ludicrous, these courtroom scenes are in fact the most entertaining part
of the film; the analytical arguments about the supernatural could have come
from a lost X-Files episode. There's also a strong tabloid sensibility about all
of this, with a matching pair of severed genitals playing a very important part
in the film.
Keeping the film together is Jung's portrayal of the psycho, who, if one looks
past his perversions, could be one of the nicest and sweetest serial killers
around. Known as a comedic actor, Jung seems to really be enjoying himself in
this semi-serious role, and his enthusiasm keeps this movie going.
Somewhere near the halfway point, the movie begins to take itself seriously, at
the expense of the plot and the audience. Without notice, "Circle" suddenly
decides that it's a romance - never mind the six women Cho has already digested
- and proceeds to go back in time to tell the story of the ill-fated lovers.
| Audio Format: | DD 5.1 Surround, DTS 6.1, DD 2.0 Stereo |
| Video Format: | Widescreen 1.85:1 (Anamorphic) |
| Languages: | Korean |
| Subtitles: | Korean Only |
| Country Made: | Korea |
| Region Code: | ALL |
| Year Made: | 2003 |
| Running Time: | 110 |
| Special Features: | Trailer, Interview, Cast & Crew |
| Availability: | Unavailable. |
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