Duelist is a painting in motion, where a lot is hinted and nothing is explained.
Some may lament the lack of a true plot, but on my part I believe a movie has different means of portraying a story than a book or a drama. It's based upon images, not necessarily on twists and events. Just like poetry is based upon the evocative power of words, not on facts.
And the direction used the cinematographic tools to its full potential in this movie.
I watched it with my mouth open. Beautiful screenplay, beautiful dance-like fights, beautiful just-hinted erotism.
Yes, the plot can be reduced to a 10 minutes narration. But so are a lot of theatre pieces, played upon style, movement, colour and photography.
Acting is wonderful, and so is the music. This is a ballet, after all.
Rewatch value is obviously high: I'll go back to it whenever I want to just sit and admire a beautiful, colour filled painting.
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I don't usually watch korean historical film, this was one of the exceptions since I had its DVD in one of my collections for a long time because I thought it was a historical-Wuxia Chinese film but when I found its synopsis and main actors in MDL, I decided to watch it right away even though it's Korean.
2) Storyline/Plot:
Do you love stories that would make you feel like you're watching a piece of art? This is it!!
Positive points:
*To start with, action films mixed with romance are one of the favorite genres that I like to watch and this film was just the type.
*Love through fighting was a brilliant idea that made this film's story so captivating because usually the leads are on the same side.
*The fighting scenes were nicely done; grafic effects and cinematography would make you feel like you're watching a piece of art being painted.
*The historical concept gave this film its great concept, it wouldn't be this great if it was in another era.
Negative points:
*The general presentation period didn't tell much therefore we don't get to know a lot about the leads (specially the lead male).
*The romantic story could've went a lot deeper; we haven't seen a lot on that side but that doesn't mean it was bad.
Story: 8/10
3) Acting/Cast:
*Kang Dong Won: I just love this actor because he always have unusual roles, here he was amazingly different. I usually love it when the lead male is mysterious, handsome, martial arts expert, full of karisma and I found all of that in "sad eyes" character; it was a perfectly portrayed character although he may sound very silent but he managed to deliver a lot of emotions: *Claps* I really loved him here.
*Ha Ji Won : In every drama/film, she can portray any character in a good way, here it wasn't any different; she was cool with her foolishness and manly behavior, she was the kind of strong/independent female lead plus she delivered great emotions. However, Kang Dong Won amazed me more.
*I just loved the chemistry between the leads because every scene they had together was interesting to watch; they were so cool especially in fighting scenes.
*I was right for watching it because of the lead actors: they did a great job.
*The general acting was cool and the supporting roles were acceptable.
Cast: 9.5/10
Acting: 10/10
4) The ending:
*Some people may not understand it, I would love to explain it but I would spoil it for those who haven't seen the film yet.
*Anyway, it was a great ending plus it was really logical for this type of film.
The ending: 9/10
5) My impression (How did it affect me):
*I didn't get my eyes off the screen the whole time, it was really interesting to watch. I am still wondering why I haven't seen it before.
*I was really entertained; i laughed, I was excited because of the fighting scenes, I was moved by the sad emotions somehow (I don't usually get moved by any sort of sadness so this is rare).
My impression: 9.5/10
6) Overall:
*If you like action films mixed with romance then this is for you but don't expect a lot on the romantic side.
*If you like mysterious male lead/strong female lead then this is for you.
*If you like martial arts film that's full of cinematography then this is for you.
Overall: 9/10.
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Ha Ji Won's role is that of a rookie detective, she's really hot-tempered, her hands act faster than her mouth - she would rather beat someone to a pulp to get an answer, than rather talk the person into saying it. Not much is known about Kang Dong Won's role, apart from the fact he was a well-skilled assassin and he's highly, really highly reserved. Then we have the other cast, playing different roles, either to support or oppose the two main leads. We are in a corrupt world, which is no news. Ha Ji Won and a superior officer are asked to catch and stop those doing all these corrupt stuffs in this movie and that's how the two main leads meet. Then both of them are torn between performing their duties.
It's not just the type of romance movie you and I are accustomed to. I actually found it hard to understand the movie itself, but I kept on watching until the very end and after some few minutes BINGO !!! I got the idea.
The fight scenes between the two main leads were AWESOME!!!! Simply awesome. It was well choreographed; it was like they were floating,fighting and at the same time dancing. For a better understanding, try imagining two people dancing tango, but instead of the music, insert swords clashing and a historical setting...... You simply need to watch the movie.
I really don't want to spoil this movie for those who want to watch it. Somewhere towards the end there's this scene, where the two main leads are supposedly fighting...... This scene lasted for almost 6 mins or even more (okay or less). It was just the two of them, it was AWESOME, BEAUTIFUL and MAGICAL!!!!! I think I did say they were making love under a full moon.... LOL I know this sounds crazy, but that's what was happening. In this scene, she wants to catch him (arrest him) and he wants to kill her, but they are so much in love that it isn't working that way at all for them......... I did love to say more....
This is a good movie!!!! The cinematography, acting, figh scenes and down to the editing...... everything is cool with this movie.
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I think this movie had a really interesting plot. Most of all, I loved the heroine. I like how brave she was and so skilled at fighting. She is very un-ladylike and goes around snooping trying to find a criminal aka our hero. That provides for a lot of hilarity. Plus, she has an amazing chemistry with the male lead. I love all their scenes together. It left me wanting for more. Koreans definitely know how to do romance.
And of course, I have to mention its extraordinary camera work. The action scenes are all wonderfully shot. It was quite a creative job done on the cameraman's part. Also, good direction and good editing made it more enjoyable. Towards the end, it seemed like too much action but again there were shots that took my breath away. This is were the best parts of the film.
Also, there were hardly any boring parts which would have made me want to skip some scenes. I've always had a history with Korean films such that they bored me a lot or put me to sleep. This is one movie which kept me awake the entire time. The ending was all sorts of things but not satisfying. I feel like there should be a sequel to this film. There were a lot of unexplained things so my thirst didn't get satisfied.
This movie would make an amazing drama because the story has so many small things which can be very well adapted into one. I would really love it if there ever was one with such cool characters. All in all, this is a thoroughly entertaining film. And, it broke my record of having seen boring Korean movies since forever.
This is a highly recommended film!
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To sum it up, the movie was average for me, it got my hopes up in the middle; but it just didn't follow through. The story was not straightforward and it had me confused a lot of times. You should watch it for beautifully choreographed fight sequences; they were definitely the highlight.
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Sad Eyes as a character is like the black knight in shining armour.though our mother says not to fall for such guys we always will.so that's what happens.the heroine falls for the wrong guy and i love this fact.he's a character with such depth that its hard to understand him.Kang Dong Won does a superb job playing 'sad eyes'.his eyes itself seem to speak to the viewer and im waiting for Dong Won to portray sch a character again
the chemistry between the leads is so amazing that its hard to understand how they can even breathe.the string pulled till taut with tension.their eyes speaking to such lenghts that the line between words nd visual blurs.they are like the two sides of a coin.near but still never together.the story shows this aspect accurately.
the music is so befetting to each scene that wthout the music one wouldn't even understnad the hurricane of emotions in the OTP's hearts..
after finishing this al i felt was did i just watch a ballad or an opera.in reality it doesnt even have many dialogues.the body language,the eyes and the actions do much of the talkng in here
this movie has many flaws too.like it doesnt have much of a story and how it gets draggy.the usual stuff but the good points more than overtake the bad ones.
all in all a wonderful piece of art
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This movie is very artistically shot/filmed. Beautiful cinematography along with inventive camera angles almost seems to be the goal rather than a solid plot. The Duelist is nothing if not beautiful to look at with a moving picture feel, light on dialog.
The acting is very well done. The sword fights are exactly how Amrita describes them; a lovely, potentially deadly ballet. I liked the comedic moments and the very slight whisper of risque and racy that also dances around in the film. The two lead actor's chemistry is palpable. Ha Ji Won is my favorite character in this movie. She seemed to me the one who had the most personality.
If you are in the mood to watch something a bit abstract and ethereal, The Duelist may be a movie you like.
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Story:
The story it's just simply GREAT! It has completely everything and u just can't get bored while watching it! It has action, political issues, martial arts and as we all want romance! The romance is not just ordinary romance because in this movie we see strong love and also forbidden one. The combination is absolutely amazing. The main girl is not girly and actually HAVE balls to go against killers which one of them is our main handsome man Kang Dong Won. I have fetish for long hair men so i melted okay?! With his hair, his acting and the mystery surrounding it...it's simply amazing and the best movie koreans ever made! The love is so pure and strong that i didn't saw it in other movies...simply outstanding and beautiful. I will forever keep it in my heart. I just wish there was a bit sequel. I know it ended very romantic but still....we don't want teasing. But yes it ended how it should be based on the characters. <333 I just LOVE IT!
Acting:
Everything was amazing. I concentrated on the main leads which made me to fly high because of their intense meetings. It wasn't JUST fighting...it was like confession of their love. Dance of lovers i would call it. The main girl Ha Ji won is completely my style. I am almost similiar to her...i just loved to see her bursting in pure anger and sadness...i just love it. After watching the movie u can die peacefully.
Music:
I have whole OST on my phone and i play it as a lullaby. What more should i say to it?! The one who did the music did a great job! It fit everything....i just must clap and do standing ovation...It's amazing. It can bring u tears to ur eyes even if u are manly as me!
Rewatch Value:
EVERYDAY! If i had the time i would rewatch it everyday because it's freaking awesome! Everytime u watch it, it feels like u watch it for the first time. It brings u back the same emotions!
Overall:
THIS MOVIE SHOULD GET AN OSCAR!
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This movie is very artfully filmed. Each introduction to a new setting is done seamlessly, in a single shot. Most scenes fade in and out, instead of cutting to the next scene. There is quite a dreamy tone to the movie and many of the important scenes take place in the dark or at night, which was slightly frustrating for me but I guess it adds to the mystique of the film. Each duel is filmed like an art piece, like a dance. Very well done!
Most of the story is not told in your face, but left to your imagination and interpretation. I would say the director assumes that the audience is intelligent enough to infer certain things and interpret certain scenes.
I really like the depiction of the relationship between 'Sad Eyes' and Nam Soon. There are insinuations of a romantic relationship between them, but I gather that most of their relationship is based on mutual admiration for each other's excellent swordsmanship skills.
I had only previously watched two of Kang Dong Won's films, Psychic and Secret Reunion. In this movie, he plays an equally mysteriously character, with very few lines and few opportunities to see that pretty face of his. I'm definitely not complaining.
Ha Ji Won is really good in this film, and I feel that she is the heart of this show. Her character is vivacious, enthusiastic and we can see the conflicts of emotions she feels on her face.
An interesting and stylish watch!
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I just watched it for a second time, and I totally love it. I guess I approached it as visual poetry this time rather than watching it for the narrative. Viewing it that way, it totally enchanted me.
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1This review may contain spoilers
All style, no substance...
What a beautiful film!!! Literally so beautiful: the cinematographer deserves all the praise! But once you get your fill of aesthetics, what remains? Nothing much, unfortunately!The plot is basic: a game of cat and mouse between a policewoman (did they exist in late Joseon?) and an assassin while investigating a case of counterfeit money and corruption in high places. They meet a few times, the sparks fly and then they are in love?!?!? I guess... But the case she's investigating comes between them.
The film is a mixture of genres and very often that mixture is not correctly dosed. First of all there is random comedy: a lot of it in the first half of the film. Unfortunately that comedy is not a very funny one: cringy and full of unconvincing and exaggerated grimaces. Secondly, the action scenes were expertly choreographed. So much so they were not action but dance scenes: beautiful and ultimately, for the most part, empty of action. And finally, the romance was sorely lacking chemistry for me. And for that I mainly blame the actress Ha Ji Won who cannot act to save her life. She tries so hard but it is just too awful to watch. I kept closing my eyes and cringing inside so much especially when she was playing the "crazy bitch" at one moment: so much grimacing, twisted mouth and googly eyes tells me someone is trying too hard but the result is disappointing. Kang Dong Woo, the Sad Eye assassin, was almost just as bad: a brooding silent type. Opposites attract and clash, the sparks are supposed to fly: I could not see one single one!
The second half of the film takes place in the winter so there is snow falling constantly throughout this second half. That must have been expensive and difficult to film though the result is stunningly beautiful.
The relationship between the policewoman and her boss was almost a father/daughter one and i wish they explored and gave us more details about it. The same goes for the relationship between the assasin and the Minister: what hold did he have ove the young man. The characters are just superficially sketched.
The praise goes to the director, the cinematographer and the choreographer who decided to paint a beautiful moving picture in which they succeeded. But I need substance as well: a tightly written story and some chemistry between the leads. The music was all over the place: going from classical western music, circus music, tango, modern beats and more ordinary original music. The background score during the final battle between the police force and the assassin was poignant and tugging at heartstrings. The final credits song was really nice.
What about the ending? Did he survive the battle and they live happily ever after now? Is the final scene just a memory or the confirmation of him surviving and now working with the police? I don't know and frankly, by the end of the film, I was so fed up and bored that I did not care anymore!
I do apologize to the fans for not seeing things they love about this movie....
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