A Dirty Carnival (2006)

A Dirty Carnival is everything a mob flick should be plus a little bit.

The movie is appropriately titled because living the life of a gangster is indeed dirty business, and the film neither sugarcoats nor glamorizes this lifestyle (as other, especially Western, gangster flicks are wont to do). Once you become entrapped there are few, if any, routes of escape.

It's a cautionary tale about an underbelly of society that's dog eat dog, where karma is a real bitch. Trust and betrayal thread a very thin line and losing your humanity becomes the only modus operandi to ensuring your survival.

From where I sat the film was brilliantly executed both in terms of story and plot. The pacing was taut, there was never a dull moment that I can remember. You're kept fully engrossed by a stellar cast who made their characters seem real and very convincing.

Jo In Sung, in the role of charismatic, but conflicted Byung-doo, puts on a memorable performance. Byung-doo is a young man whose life has become twisted by fate. A filial son, and still possessing a shred of conscience despite the violence that surrounds him, I was able to sympathize with the character even while I was appalled by the brutality and ruthlessness fueling his actions.

Considering previous events, the big boss singing a cappella in one of the final scenes really struck chord in me. That's pretty much all I remember about the music, but it was effective enough in that moment to warrant a 7.

Overall I thoroughly enjoyed this movie. I wouldn't have minded if certain things went down differently, but I appreciate the film for its realistic portrayal of what I imagine that world and the people who live in it to be. I doubt fans of the mob genre will be disappointed.

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a dirty carnival is a gangster/human movie
about Jo in sung ( its okay thats love, that winter the wind blows ) and his friend jin goo ( Dots ) who started as restaurant waiters and then they joined the mob and ever since they are trying to become big shots within the gangster world.
the movie revolves around jo in sung and his struggles as he is closer to 30 years old and has nothing achieved in his life, with his ill mother who needs medication and his younger brother and sister, he is left to make money the worst way.
the movies plot is never boring and is a great way to tell the story, of how a small time thug becomes bigger and more evil, with his own actions. starting from the first person he hits with his fists to the first person he hits with a bad and goes on showing you how jo in sung evolves into killing and torturing and changing into becoming one of the worst gangsters on the block.
of course a gangster flick cant be done without betrayals and loyalty.
another great actor who is the third amigo is nam gung min, a wannabe director who is trying to make it big, but ends up at the wrong side of the road when he is cornered.
all the 3 leads did a perfect job portraying their emotions and characters
9.2/10 for shampoo johnson gangster family
movie quotes
"its war, gather all the boys"
he came a long way, or maybe went too far..."
"he can stab you while smiling, but yesterday he cried while watching a TV show"
"i wonder what its like being stabbed"
"what is a family??"
Stream
http://kissasian.com/Drama/A-Dirty-Carnival/Movie?id=18974
BEST OST
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jCsCkr1Hh4k

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