Review of The Handmaiden (2016) by Kaisa — 15 Aug 2023
The decision to watch this movie was instant and irreversible as soon as I read its description. After all, I immediately realized that this is a remake of Velvet Fingers, which I liked so much earlier.
I'm not against remakes, it's always interesting how a familiar story will be shown from the other side. But, alas, the fact that I was familiar with the original did not play into the hands of this film.
And this is not only because the main plot twist did not come as a surprise to me. The director simply did not reveal the characters enough to make the motivation for their actions look compelling enough.
As a result, their reaction to what is happening in places looks too affected. The picture is certainly very beautiful, but it does not cover the rest of the cons. Park Chan-wook definitely went too far with erotica, turning into light pornography, that you involuntarily begin to be embarrassed by what is happening on the screen - this transition is so swift.
It would seem that the film should talk about love, how pure and beautiful it is, that it can literally save a person. And so it would be, but the emphasis on sexuality and inappropriate humor does not make the right impression.
As a result, there is no sympathy for the difficult fate of the main characters, and it is almost a pity for a simple swindler. England - Korea 1:0.
This review of The Handmaiden (2016) was written by Kaisa on 15 August 2023.
The Handmaiden has generally received very positive reviews.
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