The Showdown

This is a slick, well done little movie that is simple in scale yet massive in scope. The premise is very basic: Two high ranking officers, both lifelong friends, barely escape with their lives from a battle in Manchuria during a fierce blizzard. They take refuge in an abandoned inn where they discover a deserter from their company (played by the ever entertaining Chang-Seok Ko) hiding out and planning to return to Joseon when the snow lifts. Three men stuck in a room together. Like I said, a very simple scenario. But as the past comes into play and secrets come to light, the entire drama of the human condition begins to play out in this little microcosm. Friendship, honor, betrayal, jealousy, bravery, cowardice, clan warfare, class warfare, nationalism, loyalty and revenge all come crashing down into this little space and force things into a showdown between all involved. As with most good Korean films, this is not a clear cut "good guy/bad guy everything wraps up in a storybook ending" kind of a film. It is tightly written and well directed movie by the guy who wrote I Saw the Devil, New World and Tiger: An Old Hunter's Tale. It is fun and engaging and tough to watch all at the same time. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more recognition.

Or something along those lines, if I remember correctly. On the other hand it is also individuals, because everyone has their own agenda. The movie tries to give us perspective with flashbacks and reveals quite a few things about honor, loyalty and betrayal. Generally speaking this is very well made with a stunning opening battle that sets things into motion.

Choreography is good, just don't expect there to be much more of that, because it is more of a character piece (with occasional stunts/action thrown in for good measure). A really fine developed one, though I would understand if some might feel this to go on for a bit to long too, that is always in the eye of the beholder. If you like Eastern movies in general you're probably in the right place though