Movielogr

The Face Reader (2013)

Directed by Han Jae-rim

Drama | Eastern | History

Overview

An exceptionally talented face reader becomes entangled in a bloody power struggle between a child king and his uncle who plans to usurp the throne.

Length 140 minutes

Actors

Kang-ho Song | Lee Jung-jae | Baek Yoon-sik | Cho Jung-seok | Lee Jong-Suk | Kim Hye-soo | Kim Eui-sung | Chae Sang-woo | Kim Tae-woo | Ko Chang-seok | Seo Hyun-woo | Woo Sang-jeon | Kim Kang-hyun | Jung Da-won | Kim Seo-hyeon | Jeon Sin-hwan | Kim Ho-yeon

Viewing History (seen 1 time)

Date ViewedDeviceFormatSourceRating
10/08/2013Movie ScreenDigitalTheater7.5 stars
 

Viewing Notes

Really didn’t know what to expect from this nor was all the interested in a 2+ hour period piece but I’m not one to turn down an opportunity to view a new S.Korean film in the theater. So glad I went because this movie is deceptively great.

Starts like a comedy with a cornball idea that slowly weaves into a political period piece. It does this so deftly I forgot at which point the comedy turns to deadly serious. The second half is all political intrigue as plot unfolds to overthrow the young king and Song Kang-ho, the face reader, is in the middle of it.

A Song Kang-ho is the reason to see this. The cast is typically great but really elevates everyone around him so much so that when he’s not on screen you feel his absence. I was dead tired viewing this and normally a movie such as this would put me to sleep. But the superb drama and acting kept awake and invested. Really good movie and highly recommended.

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