Review by John Delia
Spicy and exciting the film The Handmaiden enters select theaters this weekend and for adults it’s a powerful mystery drama with romantic overtones. The fine direction, acting, story and cinematography make the film pleasurable. It’s for those who like a titillating movie experience tied in with a sordid plot that takes some unexpected twists. The film, if it had been rated, could have easily received the highest MPAA judgement possible.
Set in South Korea the story opens in the 1930’s where Korea has become occupied by the Japanese and are ruling over them with the presence of their military. Strong willed, the Koreans look for opportunities to get work even if it means coning the rich. Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee), a Japanese woman, has inherited a $1.5 million estate run by her Uncle Kouzuki (Cho Jin-woong) on her behalf.
Korean con artist Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) has gotten wind of her wealth and with Lady Hideko’s handmaiden having been let go, offers his pawn Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri) to replace her. Sook-Hee is very leery about the position finding out that Lady Hideko has visions that make her upset late at night. But, Lady Hideko finds she likes the appealing Sook-Hee, renaming her Tamako and seeing an ally in her plan to break from her domineering Uncle.
So begins a tale of lust, deceit, trickery and a daring romance. Director and writer Park Chan-wook takes chances with his very sensual film on getting an audience that will not get distracted from the intricate story. He uses his characters wisely creating a façade on each that he changes as the movie progresses. Exceptional in distraction and hiding information from his audience, Chan-wook makes each chapter of his play a mystery that gets solved in the finale.
Beautifully filmed with locations and sets that depict the 30’s Korea, The Handmaiden draws you into the drama through tight lenses. Shots are extremely good of the candle and lantern lit interiors where Korean small villages are put to the test of Japanese authority. Lady Hideko’s estate has lighting by electricity, candles and lantern. It’s an opulent bastion with high ceiling entry and rooms that are fit for the wealthy. There’s three wings, each decorated in a different style with one an English motif, another Japanese and a mixed Oriental annex.
The acting by the whole cast is very good from the moment they’re on the screen to the unexpected ending. The beautiful Kim Tae-ri develops Sook-Hee as a shy, dutiful handmaiden for her mistress. She’s a nubile nymph that excites Lady Hideko beyond the servitude the mistress demands. But, Sook-Hee has a very cunning and sneaky side looking for ways that she can obtain more wealth in her deprived life as a lowly Korean among the powerful Japanese. In her first major role, she nails her character and makes the film work.
Not wanting to be ruled over by her uncle, Lady Hideko played by Kim Min-hee wants to carry out her plan to be rid of him. She’s a manipulator herself using her handmaiden for her “needs†and to do her bidding. Seemingly a target in Count Fujiwara plan to obtain her estate, she may not be the fool in his evil game. I can see Min-hee with a nice career as an actress given the right opportunities and this role certainly highlights her acting ability.
The Handmaiden has not been rated by the MPAA, but contains explicit sex, nudity, language, drug use, gore and violence. It’s an adult only film that could be placed in the category of soft porn. Not for the immature or non-adult the film in my estimation borders NC-17. The film plays out in Korean and Japanese with English subtitles.
FINAL ANALYSIS: An exciting mystery drama that keeps you guessing with unexpected twists. (A)
Additional Film Information:
Cast: Kim Min-hee, Kim Tae-ri, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Kim Hae-sook, Moon So-ri
Directed and written by: Â Park Chan-wook
Genre: Drama, Crime, Foreign (South Korean)
MPAA Rating: Not Rated, contains explicit sex, language, violence
Running Time: 2 hrs. 24 min.
Release Date: October 28, 2016
Distributed by: Magnolia Pictures
Released in: 2D in Korean and Japanese dialogue with English subtitles