Genre: Drama/ Thriller/ Romance
Runtime: 141 minutes
Year: 2016
Starring: Min-hee Kim, Tae-ri Kim, Jung-woo Ha, Jin-woong Jo, Hae-suk Kim, So-ri Moon
Description: A woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but secretly she is involved in a plot to defraud her.
Review: It was Quentin Tarantin who ones praised “Old Boy” at the Cannes film festival. He turned out to be a fan of director Chan-Wook Park. And Park’s “The Handmaiden” shows us why, because his style fits Tarantino’s. It’s a Victorian romance through the eyes of Tarantino: stylish cinematography, intelligent writing and a lot of extravagance.
“The Handmaiden” is inspired by the book “Fingersmith” and starts out pretty innocent. Hideko is a rich herein and is locked up at her uncle’s mansion, who wants to eventually marry her. “The Handmaiden” can be compaired, based on its plot. But Park manages to create its own identity.
The film works with an unusual storytelling structure and multiple perspectives. When you think you got it all figured out, there is another twist. No chronological story. And the surprising turning points don’t only manage to shock, but show you a different side of the story.
It’s understandable why Tarantino loves Park’s style, it’s untouchable. “The Handmaiden” is a bit provocative, manages to create its own style within a genre, turning it around. Really well done. Definitely a must-see.
Rating: 4,5 / 5
Geen opmerkingen:
Een reactie posten