Completed
Shinnosuke_Lee
23 people found this review helpful
Oct 11, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.5

a well made Korean Noir film in current generation... Song Joong-ki's new side ⭐

-- Korean Neo Noir genre is one of the best genre in South Korea, it's proved again --

➠ Reminder :- Hopeless ( Hwaran) does not allow laughter or hope for a single moment. The dark and cruel scenery of the small town shown in " Hopeless" (Hwaran) and the shameful life of the human group make the audience will feel realistic story. Even the small possibility of the ending is good, so it is even more painful and refreshing.

➠ Theme :- Movies are noir in terms of genre, but the framework of the narrative is close to the story of growth.It is through irresponsible adults, young people who have become monsters themselves to escape danger, and the existence of helpers who cannot lead them to the full sun but sympathize with the pain.

➠ Intro :- " Hopeless" (Hwaran), leaves us deep afterimage in the hearts of the audience with its overwhelming immersion and stellar performance by actors, proved once again the intense ensemble of the two actors, Hong Sabin and Song Joong-ki. Hwaran", which proved to be the best movie in 2023, is a deep and intense noir drama that depicts the stories of characters living in a hopeless world in different ways with solid characterizations.

➠ the story analysis :-
" Hopeless " ( Hwaran), is a movie about shadows symbolizing darkness in art.When the light is strong, the shadow becomes longer behind it, so there is hurt in glory, sadness in joy, and pain in growth.It captures portraits of those born under shadows where light cannot be seen from birth, while at the same time implying that those living in the dark will go toward light and find their image.Rather than the grand meaning of salvation, the power of the two men who dream of rescue in a disaster-like reality is impressive...

➠ direction - cast :-
The powerful direction of the new dire"The film emphasizes that affection and loyalty between people can be the last bastion to overcome even the unbearable pain through characters living in a world without hope in different ways." the energy of the new Hong Sa-bin, who expressed it well, and Song Joong-ki's acting transformation come fresh. Attention is focusing on whether the film, which received great attention in Busan, will create a new wave in the theater district.

✰ Will SONG JOONG-KI got sucess with his transition from Protagonist to Antagonist ???
- Yes, Not all actors can effectively make the on-screen transition from hero to antagonist, so when they do,it’s truly a triumph to appreciate. Song Joong-ki who provide an intimidating, menacing, downright horrifying performance helped elevate Hwaran to the next level " Hopeless " (Hwaran)


brought by - Shinnosuk_Lee
( Personal Review )

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Completed
strawyuu
5 people found this review helpful
Nov 24, 2023
Completed 2
Overall 9.0
Story 8.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 8.0

If you're doomed either way, is it better to have hope or be hopeless?

intro:
The movie's native title, "화란," is an old-fashioned transliteration of the word "Dutch". Yet, in the movie, the Netherlands symbolizes Yeon-gyu's hope for a better life, alongside his mother. At first, it seemed almost paradoxical that the English title of this film should be "Hopeless," when the original title came closer to "Hope". Perhaps this is because Yeon-gyu's utopic version of the Netherlands is in and of itself a form of false hope: the Netherlands is not the idyllic, free of economic inequalities, country Yeon-gyu makes it out to be.

"Hopeless" follows Yeon-gyu, who still has hope, and Chi Geon, who has hope only for Yeon-gyu. It is a story of tragic kinship between a boy and a man who never got to be children.

acting:
The acting from all cast members was stellar. This is especially true for the lead actors, Hong Xa Bin, Song Joong Ki and BIBI. They played their characters so well, their emotions were so raw and genuine, that I couldn't peel my eyes away from the screen. When they cried, I cried. Their performances, both subtle and loud, were award-worthy.

plot:
A story following the descent into darkness and moral corruption of a protagonist has been done a thousand times. Similarly, there are a library's worth of gangster flicks. What makes "Hopeless" different? In terms of plot, nothing really. Instead, what "Hopeless" brings to the table is something intrinsically human. The focus here isn't flashy action but the characters themselves. Perhaps I'm just imagining it, but I found the camera's focus to be more often than not on the characters' faces. With limited dialogue, it is these faces that tell much of the story. And tell a gut-wrenching story they certainly did. "Hopeless" offers a story you've certainly heard before, in a way you'll likely never hear it quite like again.

I'd been looking forward to this movie ever since I learned of its existence, and for the past couple months had been eagerly checking this page in the hopes of news of its release. With the trailer's release, I knew this movie would be amazing. Safe to say, my intuition was correct. In fact, I was so immersed in this movie that I can't even comment on its cinematography. I guess a re-watch is likely in store for me. I highly recommend this movie to any viewer able to withstand graphic violence. Please have a box of tissues at your disposal.

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Completed
Wakio
1 people found this review helpful
Feb 10, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

That town should just be named Hopeless.

This was great movie that everyone did live up to the title, each and every single person in that town was hopeless...even the guys in power.I fell in love again with Song Joong Ki, despite him being a leader in the gang,he had a soft spot for the young kid and really wanted to help him.I liked his character.The young actor indeed deserved the award for Best New actor he portrayed his character very well, strong yet fragile.He was not a bad kid but the circumstances around him were just not letting him win even an inch.Also why wasn't him mum ever on his side? That was just sad.The chain of events that led him in killing the one adult who had his back was indeed sad.The one who was suspected of tampering with his bike was not culprit yet got punished...the one who did tamper with the bike was in his own hell. Despite their bickering the step-sister cared for him deeply glad they left that town together.I would definitely rewatch it.

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Completed
Anthojay
1 people found this review helpful
Nov 27, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 6.0
Story 6.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 5.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Promising premise but less impact

Extremely mundane style of storytelling, most of the scenes were done using silent suspense but sometimes it's really a little too much for such a simple story to be stretched this long. Visuals is the stronger aspect of this movie, that seemingly permanent grease and greyish hue smudges the small suburb which doesn't look like having much of a future, it really sparks the underlying pressure for the poor to abandon their morale just to survive the unjust in this corrupted society. It's a promising premise in gritty and stylish low tone, but can't really say the same for its lukewarm impact towards the ending.

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Completed
cah.rina
0 people found this review helpful
Jan 12, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 8.5
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

que vida miserável...

Que filme triste. Tanto sofrimento, tantos traumas. O final ... da a entender que existe esperança, mas...
triste...














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Completed
susukam
0 people found this review helpful
Mar 10, 2024
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 2.0
This review may contain spoilers

A little too hopeless for me

I really like this movie, but not the ending, I honestly don't really understand why he had to kill in the end, I guess it's the only way to successfully run away, but I would've liked it if Yeon-gyu and the older brother had survived together, or that there was a twist where the killing was a set up so that they could all run away together. I mean I know the title is called "hopeless" but I thought there would be a more fulfilling ending, or at least some sort of twist. By joining the gang he really gained nothing, it would've been easier to just run away with Hyeon in the beginning if everyone was going to die at the end.

Also really loved the cast, the acting was top tier and I am a huge fan of Bibi's acting, she does so well in every role, and she did this one perfectly too.

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Completed
Kiryu sento
0 people found this review helpful
Dec 16, 2023
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
I can relate myself a lot with this movie like the title of the movie Hwaran(Hopeless) it is about a guy named Yeon-Gyu who is around a lot of problem because of his father and money this world is cruel dangerous and has no sympathy and this movie brillantly showed it and the reason for the 7/10 is because they could have done the directiong better overall this is a good watch and for people who find this world cruel and think everyday that nothing happen in their side (me) this movie is absolutely for them
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Hopeless (2023) poster

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