2
PENTHESILEA
Greece
Revenge by Proxy!
First let's talk about the boring technicalities:
Direction during almost the whole drama was really bad.Weird close-ups,bad camera use and many shaken scenes,made me dizzy.Unfortunately direction not only ruined my experience but also the acting partially.There were many emotional moments when Ml expressing his feelings,and the damn camera was turning from one face to another every 5 secs and the scene seemed so incomplete althought the Ml still was saying his lines.I mean i was pissed,seriously,practically ruined all the emotions the actor was trying to build up. Rough editing and average cinematography too. Overall not a very pleasant watch regarding the visuals.
Music:One of the best Osts.Made me wanna modify my profile page and add it there.I really liked it,mostly instrumental,i felt the dark story was told through the notes.Especially the main score was just brilliant (i think violin is the main instrument there,but i might be wrong,)and every time i think the word Revenge this tune comes into my head.Although not much variety and kinda repetitive,still got under my skin."Prince of Darkness", "Don't love me" and "거짓된 사람들,false people" Just listen once and you instantly fall!
Cast & Acting:
Familiar actors except Uhm Tae Woong,the Detective.This was the first time watch one of his works.I can't really judge as this is an old Drama and i can't tell about his development or progress as an actor but surely he wasn't bad.
As for Joo Ji Hoon,obviously not just a pretty face!Loved him in Hyena but here..oh boy!Yep he was amazing!Into his role 100%,delivered the range of all emotions.He carried half of the show along with the other ML as the story is mostly about those two characters.
Story & Plot:
Pace is slow.Is not really about the number of episodes or the length of them.Althought 20 hourly eps were indeed too many.But it wasn't boring at all.It has the bizarre excitement of how things will go on wihouth having the expected suspense.Why?Because within the first few episodes,we already know the story and the main Villain.Not that it was too hard to guess,anyway!The purpose is not to keep us guessing or confuse us about his identity.
That's why it was given too easy and too fast.And that is the appeal of this Drama.The true beauty is the two main leads,their characters and the ill fate which connects them.The "after the revelation" story.Past and present is mixed up to give us the "what,who,where and why" behind the main story.And most important the true colors of each character.Their feelings,their history,their inner fears,remorses and struggles.We get to see their souls,undressed layer by layer,until totally naked.
A masterfully organized and planned Revenge plan unfolded infront of our eyes,step-by-step.The Master pulls all the strings,making his puppets dance in his tune.He is always ahead of the facts and everyone around him.He has thought every single detail,using people and has no regrets.Yes he is an evil character..(is he really though?)Dead bodies piling up around him.He has that cold smile but he is not a psycopath.He is not doing the deeds himself.He has the "charisma" to manipulate people.That is why i chose to give the "Revenge by Proxy" title here!He is so focused on his Revenge,it consumed him,he gradually looses himself.The references to Dante's Inferno were brilliant but at the end he himself experienced his own journey through Hell...And as always,when it comes to Revenge...Dig two graves!
The Detective is fighting with his own Demons as well.Hard working and dedicated to his job he wants to redeem himself by doing his duty the best.Although many clues and hints were thrown around him about who was behind all these,he took him way too long to connect all the dots.I got too excited when he did,i literally screamed. That part was a bit frustrating for me.It would be more interesting if he found out sooner and made his own plans to uncover everything and play a hide and seek game with the Lawyer.I guess this way the pace would be faster but oh well never mind.
The FL and her Supernatural gift was there to unify the story as a main link. Not a very exciting character but at least wasn't annoying.
Not room for Romance here.A tiny hint between FL and one of the Mls but thats all.I didn't miss it,anyhow.
In this story i couldn't take parts.I couldn't favor neither the Detective nor the Lawyer.It was like i was detached.I was there for the drama..Not because i didn't like those two characters.Not because i judged both were guilty.Nothing of these.I was afraid to get too emotional and pick a side because I LOVED them Both.I feared to choose.I didn't want to "lose" none of them.I felt i had no right to judge and if it was on me i would redeemed both.
To summarize:
This is an old Drama.It has some serious issues regarding the direction(my point of view)
Due to it,i didn't enjoy the acting that much,but all actors were really good.
It has a slow pace,focusing mostly in characters through the plot.
Is not for impatient viewers.
Watch it because..
Has great music themes.
One of the best revenge stories.
Characters with real depth.
It will make you question about the human nature several times.
Also has one of the most compelling endings.Honestly the last 15 minutes is an unquestionable 10!Not for all but definetely the kind of ending i do love.
I gave 9,5 instead of 10 only because of the really poor direction.
Direction during almost the whole drama was really bad.Weird close-ups,bad camera use and many shaken scenes,made me dizzy.Unfortunately direction not only ruined my experience but also the acting partially.There were many emotional moments when Ml expressing his feelings,and the damn camera was turning from one face to another every 5 secs and the scene seemed so incomplete althought the Ml still was saying his lines.I mean i was pissed,seriously,practically ruined all the emotions the actor was trying to build up. Rough editing and average cinematography too. Overall not a very pleasant watch regarding the visuals.
Music:One of the best Osts.Made me wanna modify my profile page and add it there.I really liked it,mostly instrumental,i felt the dark story was told through the notes.Especially the main score was just brilliant (i think violin is the main instrument there,but i might be wrong,)and every time i think the word Revenge this tune comes into my head.Although not much variety and kinda repetitive,still got under my skin."Prince of Darkness", "Don't love me" and "거짓된 사람들,false people" Just listen once and you instantly fall!
Cast & Acting:
Familiar actors except Uhm Tae Woong,the Detective.This was the first time watch one of his works.I can't really judge as this is an old Drama and i can't tell about his development or progress as an actor but surely he wasn't bad.
As for Joo Ji Hoon,obviously not just a pretty face!Loved him in Hyena but here..oh boy!Yep he was amazing!Into his role 100%,delivered the range of all emotions.He carried half of the show along with the other ML as the story is mostly about those two characters.
Story & Plot:
Pace is slow.Is not really about the number of episodes or the length of them.Althought 20 hourly eps were indeed too many.But it wasn't boring at all.It has the bizarre excitement of how things will go on wihouth having the expected suspense.Why?Because within the first few episodes,we already know the story and the main Villain.Not that it was too hard to guess,anyway!The purpose is not to keep us guessing or confuse us about his identity.
That's why it was given too easy and too fast.And that is the appeal of this Drama.The true beauty is the two main leads,their characters and the ill fate which connects them.The "after the revelation" story.Past and present is mixed up to give us the "what,who,where and why" behind the main story.And most important the true colors of each character.Their feelings,their history,their inner fears,remorses and struggles.We get to see their souls,undressed layer by layer,until totally naked.
A masterfully organized and planned Revenge plan unfolded infront of our eyes,step-by-step.The Master pulls all the strings,making his puppets dance in his tune.He is always ahead of the facts and everyone around him.He has thought every single detail,using people and has no regrets.Yes he is an evil character..(is he really though?)Dead bodies piling up around him.He has that cold smile but he is not a psycopath.He is not doing the deeds himself.He has the "charisma" to manipulate people.That is why i chose to give the "Revenge by Proxy" title here!He is so focused on his Revenge,it consumed him,he gradually looses himself.The references to Dante's Inferno were brilliant but at the end he himself experienced his own journey through Hell...And as always,when it comes to Revenge...Dig two graves!
The Detective is fighting with his own Demons as well.Hard working and dedicated to his job he wants to redeem himself by doing his duty the best.Although many clues and hints were thrown around him about who was behind all these,he took him way too long to connect all the dots.I got too excited when he did,i literally screamed. That part was a bit frustrating for me.It would be more interesting if he found out sooner and made his own plans to uncover everything and play a hide and seek game with the Lawyer.I guess this way the pace would be faster but oh well never mind.
The FL and her Supernatural gift was there to unify the story as a main link. Not a very exciting character but at least wasn't annoying.
Not room for Romance here.A tiny hint between FL and one of the Mls but thats all.I didn't miss it,anyhow.
In this story i couldn't take parts.I couldn't favor neither the Detective nor the Lawyer.It was like i was detached.I was there for the drama..Not because i didn't like those two characters.Not because i judged both were guilty.Nothing of these.I was afraid to get too emotional and pick a side because I LOVED them Both.I feared to choose.I didn't want to "lose" none of them.I felt i had no right to judge and if it was on me i would redeemed both.
To summarize:
This is an old Drama.It has some serious issues regarding the direction(my point of view)
Due to it,i didn't enjoy the acting that much,but all actors were really good.
It has a slow pace,focusing mostly in characters through the plot.
Is not for impatient viewers.
Watch it because..
Has great music themes.
One of the best revenge stories.
Characters with real depth.
It will make you question about the human nature several times.
Also has one of the most compelling endings.Honestly the last 15 minutes is an unquestionable 10!Not for all but definetely the kind of ending i do love.
I gave 9,5 instead of 10 only because of the really poor direction.
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