The Chaser (2008)
R2 / PAL DVD
Metrodome / 2009
Directed by Na Hong-jin
Written by Lee Shin-ho, Hong Won-chan
Cast: Kim Yun-seok, Ha Jung-woo, Seo Yeong-hie, Jung In-gi, Park Hyo-ju
Review by Phillip Escott
Jung-ho is having what you might call a bad streak. He’s an ex-cop turned pimp, a pimp whose call girls are disappearing one by one. Assuming they have left him after taking an advance, or worse, they’ve been sold off by a rival. He begins to prowl the streets looking for them: all he is able to find is his swank Jaguar – no girls. Seeking the help of his last remaining girl, Mi-jin, he inadvertently leads her into the hands of the man responsible for the girls sudden disappearances, Jee Young-min; the neighborhood serial killer. It soon becomes a race against time for Jung-ho to find his missing girl before Jeong-wu takes his beloved rusty chisel and hammer to her head!
The Chaser is the latest South Korean movie to gather critical acclaim in the West, much like Memories of Murder, Oldboy and A Bittersweet Life before it; it’s a dark and original effort. A film steeped in moral complexity/ambiguity and showcasing some fine performances from the two male leads; where the film fails to capture the essence of the forbearers is in its pacing. Its run time is similar to the previous titles, yet due to a sloppy middle section, which weighs the film down, it feel thirty minutes longer than it really should be. Those willing to stick with Jung-ho frantic search will be rewarded with a truly worthwhile conclusion – South Korean style! For anyone unfamiliar with the nations cinematic output, you can bet your ass that hammers will play a big part in causing physical damage.
Jung-ho is one of South Korea’s great characters, at first we can’t help but loath him; he’s a two-bit bottom feeder who leaches off desperate women. As the movie progresses however, we learn that it’s all a tough-guy facade and he really does care for his employees, as going as far as to take care of Mi-jin’s young daughter as he continues his quest to find out where the insane Young-min has left her. His sincerity and dedication to finding his girl is touching and we get brief glimpses into his true-self in some touching moments throughout the movie. He’s a well written character that will be remembered alongside the likes of Oldboy’s Oh Dae-su.
A blinding opening and climax are let down by a lazy middle section, news of the American remake (by the team behind The Departed) is welcomed, as this is a movie that has a lot of potential once the creases are ironed out, it could be the movie it hints at in the stronger elements here. Those with an interest in Korean cinema will want to check this out regardless of its flaws, those looking for a fast paced cat and mouse thriller will want to look elsewhere due to the issues with pacing in the second act.
