User reviews

I could sit here and start this review off any number of ways to make this film sound ultra important. I could say, once in a great while a film comes along, blah, blah. Or, Only a select few films ever have reached this, blah, blah. Or I could say, if you see one movie this year, blah, blah. You know the drill. These are the opening sentences the big-boy critics use when they really want you to see a flick and when they want a particular review to really stand out. Well, films that deserve this kind of "special" praise really do only come around once in a great while. Unbelievably, I have seen two in only six months time. The first was what I like to call the first real 21st Century film, and that was Oldboy. And the second film of this status also comes from Korea, believe it or not, and it is Bittersweet Life.

Bittersweet Life is probably one of the most simple, most streamlined modern films I have ever seen. It is lean, mean, and like its lead male, a damn ruthless fighting machine. The film beats along with its Raymond Chandler-like screenplay with all the jazz and style of early 90's John Woo and with the energy and themes of Quentin Tarantino's grind house 70's. Life plays with your emotions, making you care for the bad-guy hero even though he is a vicious killer, and causes one to release tension through laughter when the blood starts gushing like a dozen ruptured fire hoses. Wholesale death, blood by the gallons, broken bones and multiple beatings with humongous pipe-wrenches, two-by-fours, and lead pipes are on order, right after a heaping dish of innocent love and a guy trying for once to do the right thing.

The plot, well you see, it's like this: you can see everything coming a mile away, the movie plays it straight, and follows the exact path you know it will and the exact path you hope it will. There are no twist endings, no complicated triple crosses, no hidden motives for the characters. Everything on screen happens the way you see it, and everything thing ends exactly the way you picture it. And this is a good thing. The film is so on track that it doesn't need a twist or a swerve to make you pay attention. It starts at A, ends at E, and hits B, C and D on the way there. Life is so steeped in its genre tropes of noir character and themes that the ending is know to all of us before it even starts. However, it's the journey that matters, and I'll be damned if you can find a better-looking, more brutally violent journey anywhere.

As much as I try to analyze the film, nothing comes to mind. And this is the purest of all compliments. The film is as shallow as the pools of blood splattered in the hallways, alleyways and run down exteriors of the sets. Often times a director feels the need to bog a simple story down with twists, and a deeper meaning to hide the fact that they are afraid to just let things happen because they need to happen. Bittersweet Life is not one of these films. It exists with its soul laid bare for all to see, and when the carnage is complete, you thank the film for being honest with itself. As the final credits roll you might find yourself asking, "Is that it?" Yes, that is it—cinematic perfection. It is all it needs to be: pure and simple, boisterous and calm, bloody and drenched in gore and an honest movie with nothing to hide.

--genrebusters

When you sit back to watch this film, be prepared for a film that will open your mind,a film that will make you question humanity, and be prepared to be floored by a visual masterpiece which is rare by gangster movie standards.

From the first few shots we are feasted with beautiful shots, angles and little references that are simply delightful. The story unfolds showing the brighter side of life, the sweet side if you like. This is portrayed by Sunwoo eating a desert in the opening scene and then more food as the first half continues. The film then plays out to its darker half and we are shown the bitter side of life, which i wont go into and destroy for you.

Everything about this film just...Works, even the martial arts scenes are well edited and seem clever, rather than tricking us with quick camera cuts, we get a raw and violent slice of brutal gangster revenge, which again simply delights in a strange bitter way.

Simply put, A bittersweet life is simple plot, filmed and played exactly how it is meant to be, exactly how you want it to be. Every scene is fresh with humour or suspense which is so rare by todays standards.

This films plays out exactly how you want it to, with the exact camera angles it should, with the perfect music to back it all up. This film is a dark and visual spectacle that must be seen to be believed.

9/10

A Bittersweet Life is a neo-noir action drama film directed by Kim Jee-woon. The film stars Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yeong-cheol, Shin Min-ah, Hwang Jung-min and Kim Roi-ha.

Kim Sun-woo is sent by his crime boss employer to shadow his young mistress, Heesoo, to find out whether she is seeing another man. His instructions are to kill them both if it is true.

To describe the film the simplest words is the cinematic brilliance. The film portrays a great battle between obeying the master's orders or to follow the ethical path. The film displays this battle in a very simpler yet complex way.

The first hour of the film is primarily focused on the plot and character development and shows how the hero falls in the dilemma of following the orders of his boss or to follow the instructions of his heart and once he listen to his heart he gets the wrath of his boss. The second part of the film is majorly violent and can also be described as to take revenge of whatever happened to the actor.

Screenplay of the film is gripping and will keep you engaged, the second half of the film is more violent and very brutal with lots of blood and gore.

Acting in the film is terrific and all the characters were very impressive in their respective roles. The climax of the film is perfect and gives a great closure to the film.

A must watch film for the lovers of this genre.

Twenty years ago, i could watch Korean movies blindfolded, I was never deceived. But since several years now, I must be careful, some of them seem to be contaminated by the nasty, disgusting Hollywood disease, showing,happyf...endings and so on, Hollywood garbage standards, to please idiots audiences. I won't say it s difficult now, in 2022, to find a good crime film from Seoul, but.... So, I prefer going back in time and watching again the claasics from this period. OK, the topic here, an elite henchman of a big criminal boss is hired to spy on the boss' moll; so you see, nothing exceptional. But as a Korean film, it is very well made, elegant, brilliant, violent and of course gloomy, as I love. So, if you share my feelings, I guarantee that you won't be deceived.

Give your mind that well deserved break from the rest of what Korea has to offer and gorge yourself silly with this.

Sun-Woo is a protagonist with some credibility. He might be cool, calm, sophisticated and fully capable of killing your face off, but he's also admirably flawed. Inexperienced in the use of firearms. A little too sure of himself, resulting in trouble. But a man who will still see things through to the end no matter what.

Kim Ji-Woon's direction is a spectacle to behold. The action as bloody and relentless as is to be expected of Korea's cinema. And still dotted with that dark dark humour. It might be a little far fetched but there are plenty of explanations (theories) as to why, and the fact that the ending is open to your own personal interpretation means you can enjoy this on any level. Be it for the brain-dead action-fest it is, or for the deeper, more significant and symbolic meanings behind it too.

Lee Byung-Hun's turn as the reluctant but fully capable mob man is a nice twist on what has come to be expected of the genre, and then some. This is a breath of fresh air for the gangster action flick and a wholly commendable one at that.

It's been compared to the likes of Scorsese, DePalma and Tarantino, and rightfully so, but it keeps itself rooted very firmly in its own credibility. With just a few nods to these Western influences.

Seek it out. You won't be disappointed.

Read the full review (as well as many more film, music, book and game reviews) over at wrawreviews.co.uk

Now it gets more and more obvious, for years, that Korea makes fantastic movies. The budgets are not as nearly big as Hollywood's so they successfully rely on creativity, knowledge and imagination. This movie is an excellent example. Great direction with great cast, perfectly balanced pace, simple story told artistically and truly great acting. It reminds me of Mr. Eastwood and his approach. Nothing spectacular, but quite poetic. Now, of course there's violence but it's understandable. Mind the story layers, though. Subtle messages and little things that make this movie great. Highly recommended.

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 Bittersweet Life is cinematic bliss. A simple yet well told story with great performances and solid direction. A great choice for a soundtrack puts the final touch to this incredible dish. It plays a lot in the spirit of Jean Pierre Melville's fantastic and timeless film "Le Samourai", but with an identity of it's own.

The movie follows the journey of a man that has stopped enjoying life. When he finds another person that truly enjoys living in a way he can't something awakes inside him, is not love, it's a sense of joy that he hasn't experienced before. The best thing i could say about A Bittersweet Life is that it shows how the best stories are usually told in the most straight way possible, no need for complicated twists or sub-plots. You might end up with a bittersweet taste right at the end, and just as the taste goes down you will know how great it was.

From the very beginning the lighting, filming locations, set decoration, and wardrobe catch our eye. The music of Jang Young-gyu and Dalpalan is almost as immediately alluring, imparting suspense, action, and drama all at once. Then an early scene of action kicks up with a striking ferocity, and the hooks are in us: 'A Bittersweet life' works hard from the beginning to grab our attention, and keep it.

This is fantastic.

After a jarring opening the film dials back the presentation to allow for some exposition, laying the groundwork for the remainder of the film. Even at that, writer-director Kim Jee-woon's keen eye continues to arrange swell, stylish visuals for us to enjoy, while slowly building the tension. And ultimately those passing moments of relative tranquility are little more than a calm before the storm, because when the violence and bloodshed pick up with ever greater force, it's jolting.

The fight choreography is outstanding, as is the stunt work, and every action sequence is wonderfully thrilling. Characters and dialogue are written very well, with complexity and wit, and a small measure of cheeky humor. While the overall plot is broadly familiar, individual story beats and the narrative flow are fun and captivating. Jang and Dalpalan's score carries echoes of the playfulness they'd later emphasize in Kim's adventure romp 'The good, the bad, the weird,' but here elevate the music further with tones evoking a greater, darker range.

The superb production design that leapt to hold fast our attention from the beginning refuses to let go at any point, and special effects lend aid to that same cause. There's a calculated artistry in every aspect of the feature that defies the bloody deeds at hand, and it's a marvel to behold. While the whole cast is excellent, lead Lee Byung-hun has the greatest task at hand as protagonist Kim Sun-woo. The role requires a dexterity and nuance that could easily get lost amidst the more action-oriented thrust of the narrative, but Byung-hun is highly capable, and draws out every refinement from the mob enforcer.

I entered 'A bittersweet life' expecting an action-thriller, yet it managed to surprise me with how bleak it ultimately is. Even at that, there's heart, and a morbid humor, that provide counterbalance to the frenzy. It's mostly rather straightforward, but has just enough aces up its sleeve to set it apart from similar films.

When all is said and done, this is an action film, and that's the audience who will get most out of it. Still, anyone open to quality film-making of any genre will find something to enjoy. 'A bittersweet life' is an entertaining, satisfying ride, and worth checking wherever you can watch it.

Ah...the Korean revenge genre. I only recently got into it so I'm not even going to attempt posting character or actor names. Way too exotic for me.

The thing about a good K-Revenge movie, is that you put all your sympathies into the character. Even in Oldboy, you mostly retain your sympathy for Oh Dae Su (there...I got one right).

With this film, the model looking protagonist plays the cat and mouse game just as he eventually did in I Saw the Devil (the "villain" play by Choi-Min Sik..maybe I'm not as bad at this as I thought).

However, there is a phrase uttered in one of the scenes that implies him to not be without blood on his own hands.

Regardless, you sympathize with him for most of the movie and can't help but root him on. His touching monologue to the man he's seeking revenge against is a great emotional forebearing of the final fist, leg and gunfight show.

Being an older movie, I'll forgive it's flaws. Even with them, it's still worth watching if you're into this fascinating subgenre of foreign film.

Firstly I love this movie just as I do with most Korean movies, the cinematography is beautiful which is sort of a standard with Korean movies. The basis of the plot line is revenge, in this case from both sides thou its the main character Sun-Woo you will be rooting for.

There's also plenty of laughs in this film (if you like you're comedy a little darker) some of the best laughs coming from the villains, or the several ingenious fight scenes.

The ending however may leave a few people confused I certainly took a couple of viewings before I understood. Thou thats my only negative with this movie. I fully enjoyed it and would recommend it to anyone who likes a good revenge film or fans of the 'Asia Extreme'DVDs. Plus there's a great feel of realism with this movie, sometimes Asian films go quite OTT and beyond belief especially with fight scenes but there's no fancy flying or slow motion take downs here, it does have a bar fight feel which I quite enjoyed thou perhaps fans of that sort of style fighting might be a little disappointed.

So in conclusion I would def recommend this movie to fans of Asian Extreme movies or even fans of revenge films in general.It doesn't drag on and keeps a good pace from the start. Give it a go I don't think it will disappoint!

It is very difficult to understand the game of guru and disciple.

Asian cinema in general takes another step forward thanks to Ji-woon Kim. The requirements of a film to capture such a varied audience today has to be inimitable, which is exactly what occurs here. The acting talents are as outstanding as the story line is intense.

The film may seem to lose its pace at times but it does wonders for suspense.

If you are expecting a martial arts epic you may be disappointed, but I found if you are interested in that genre then this will work nicely.

It also integrates a pinch of comedy that is sure to make you blurt out an incoherent high pitched noise.

A strong motion picture all around.