There are no perfect films. It's impossible to make a perfect film because there are so many parts involved that something is bound to go wrong. Yes, many people can join in loudly proclaiming a film is perfect, but since this art form depends on evoking an emotional reaction, something that is famously unpredictable by nature, it's impossible to strike a chord with every viewer. But have these complications of judging films ever prevented me from awarding a perfect score? No, they haven't, and they never will.
I have two simple criteria, and if one or both of them are met, I'll give you a five out of five. The first is to make me cry. Yes, if I tear up for even a second, you're on my "best films" list. The second involves wrapping everything up in such a satisfying and thought-provoking way that it doesn't even occur to me to find flaws in the plot.
Director: Hwang Byeng-GugStars: Kang Ha-neul, Yoo Hae-jin, Park Hae-joon
Yadang, by Hwang Byeong-gug and written by Kim Hyo-seok, tells the story of Lee Kang-su, a taxi driver falsely implicated in drug use. Thanks to his good behavior, prosecutor Ku Gwan-hee offers Lee the opportunity to collaborate with him in dismantling the intricate drug trafficking network that operates both aboveground and in the underworld of South Korea.
Lee is tasked with establishing a good relationship with the drug traffickers and denouncing them (hence the title) to Ku, then reaching an agreement between the small-time bosses and repeating the process until he finds the kingpin. Meanwhile, narcotics detective Oh Sang-jae is also on a similar quest. After catching an actress named Uhm Su-jin, Oh sets his sights on the feared gangster, Yeom Tae-soo, and the son of a popular politician, Cho Hoon. However, before Oh can act, Lee and Ku set out to hunt them down, thus rising in the police world.
However, an unexpected twist drastically changes the lives of the protagonists, prompting them to forge unlikely bonds in the name of justice. By now, South Korea has produced so many crime thrillers, and due to the popularity of South Korean cinema, we've seen so many films and series that there's little to no room for innovation. While some will take this as an excuse to enjoy the spectacle and the shenanigans, Yadang holds its own and utilizes all the clichés, tropes, and plot twists we've encountered so far to create something captivating.
The film's first act is passionately dedicated to dooming certain characters (whose names I won't reveal for fear of spoilers) to failure. The film knows that the audience is aware that the protagonists are about to hit rock bottom. But instead of rushing in, it lets the characters soak up their accomplishments, camaraderie, and quirks. Only after you're comfortable watching the heroes win does the film take a drastic turn in the most violent way possible. Now, when the protagonists have to pull themselves together and seek revenge, the film doesn't need to cheer you on. You naturally root for them because you've spent enough time with them to see them as friends, which makes the second act so captivating. And all of this is followed by a third act with just the right amount of drama, suspense, comedy, and action.
In addition to having a beautifully structured script (Kim Hyo-seok is listed as the writer, but I can't find any other websites or press releases that acknowledge this), Yadang is a story about ambition, corruption, resilience, and friendship. I can't reveal which character represents each theme for fear of spoilers, but the moment of a certain individual coming full circle, with the use of cockroaches as a metaphor, serves as a very relevant commentary on constant honesty.
That character's downfall demonstrates that it doesn't matter how you began your path; what matters is not succumbing to the temptation of the pursuit of material wealth. Because when you leave this world, you won't take the money you've earned with you, but your legacy will remain, open to judgment for as long as humanity exists. I also think the film manages to address South Korea's uncertain politics and the poisonous media trials for drug charges. It underscores that illegal substance use shouldn't force society to condemn a person to death, especially if they're willing to improve. Everyone deserves a second chance to prove their resilience; only after squandering it should they be condemned.
Yadang looks and sounds fantastic. It may seem like a rather sweeping statement, but South Korean filmmakers, especially in the crime thriller genre, have cracked the key to making a city look cinematic. And I can't figure out how they do it every time.
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