Hai-hil

Man On High Heels follows a very tried and tested Korean gangster/cop formula but with a rather unusual quirk. Korean mega star and tuna salesman, Cha Seung Won plays against type as Yoon Ji Wook, a tough detective with a surprising secret. Cha's no mercy, gung-ho, bone breaking cop is about to go through with gender reassignment surgery.

Homosexuality and gender reassignment are topics rarely touched upon in mainstream Korean movies and all credit must be given for a serious attempt at broaching an oft ignored issue. Cha does put in a very good performance lurching from a deadly fighting force to an emotionally drained and confused individual struggling with his own identity. However the film is rather uneven; the emotional impact of the scenes illustrating Cha's treatment jar against the stereotypical ultra violence. Though the fight scenes are well staged they distract from the drama which should be the focus of the film. The story loses its pace and way in the last quarter and the ending is horribly predictable. An admirable attempt and a good performance by Cha but overall the film is a disappointment.