Memories of Murder (2003)

Why is there no review for this movie…? Well, I have to change that.

From the very first moment I saw the description of Memories of Murder I was sure I was going to at least like this film. Why? Let’s begin with genre: I’m a sucker for things related with serial murders; creepy, I know, but I love this dark, eerie atmosphere that’s usually present in such films. After deciding that this movie is worth watching I’ve done a little research about it… and the things I’ve discovered made me even more certain that this movie is just perfect for me. Not only it is based on real events, but the culprit of this crime was never found! Another thing: I’ve read somewhere that Quentin Tarantino said that this movie is among his Top 20 favorite movies since 1992 – well, that’s a sufficient recommendation for me.

This movie has amazing acting - every single actor made his role alive and believable. The most outstanding one was Song Kang Ho, who plays a role of a stupid local detective, good only at forcing testimonies out of (usually innocent) people with a use of brutal force; evidences are not important to him, the only thing he needs is his intuition. So… yeah, you guess right, he’s not what we call a good cop. He has his sidekick, and boy, this guy is even more stupid and brutal than his hyung – it’s usually him who does dirty work (hanging people upside down, kicking them in the face with combat boots, digging a grave for them etc). So how can such detectives resolve as complicated case as serial murders? Fortunately for them, there’s this guy from Seoul who comes to help them in an investigation - and he is the exact opposite of our country bumpkins.

What I liked about this movie was that it wasn’t only about finding a murderer; it also showed us a believable development of characters. Park Doo Man discovers there are other ways to find a culprit than forcing a testimony out of suspects and Seo Tae Yoon starts to doubt his own, "good" methods. It all combined with great acting, thrilling action and a bit of humor creates an amazing movie. So, if you like thrillers and you’re not put off by violence, then Memories of Murder is just for you.

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Wow! For a 20 year old movie with an overused serial killer trope, this still has the power to shock. It’s not just a catch-the-killer thriller but a harsh comedic takedown of the police at that time. They must have loathed it when it first came out. It seems their investigative technique barely changed from the Joseon era. Besides being hopelessly inadequate to find the killer, they created a host of secondary victims.

The plot is well done with many unexpected twists. Those who have seen Bong Joon Ho’s other film “Parasite” will have an idea. I especially liked the opposite trajectories for the two main cops. One becomes more aware of his weaknesses and tries to work more scientifically. The other gets increasingly frustrated with the lack of progress and becomes more and more undisciplined. And then there is the third sidekick cop. Let’s just say his fate was completely fitting for his character.

Finally the ending scene. I won’t give anything away. It was perfect.

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I first came in contact with this story through the drama Signal (2016). That peaked my interest into seeing a movie dedicated to this case specifically.
Eventhough I already knew the outcome of this story, I still found this movie very interesting.
The cinematography was great, likewise with the acting.
I have heard that some consider the pacing a bit slow, but to me the story developed at a rather pleasent and natural pace.

I would highly recommend this movie to those who enjoy crime/true crime and movies with older settings, as this was set in 1986.

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An acceptable take on one of the most profound serial killers in South Korea.

Dare I say it aged like fine wine, as a person who isn't fond of watching old films, my admiration for the director, Bong Joon-Ho, managed to push me into watching it. This film stands as a protest, and a complaint against the police force in South Korea, during the time the Hwaseong Serial Murders took place. What I loved the most about it is how it takes you to that entire experience, because much to my dismay, this is how they truly functioned back in the day.

The only reason I rated this film an 8/10 was because of the inaccuracies with the story itself, for one Gwang Ho wouldn't actually be released from prison. Instead, the police would go on to frame him, torturing him mentally and abusing him physically during the interrogation, and finally, making him the culprit and sending him to prison. Which is part of the many reasons why the case remained unsolved for many years.

In addition to this, I believe the plot was somewhat dragged on, or there were certain elements in the story where I felt like the movie would have survived even without those certain parts. The relationship between the two officers wasn't as well established as I would like, and their characters made a 180-degree turn out of nowhere, with one suddenly relying on evidence, and the latter trusting his instincts.

Overall, it is still a good film to watch.

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A hidden gem

Absolutely heart-wrenching, crime thriller...keeping in mind that this masterpiece was produced in 2003 before the case of the Hwaseong murders had been solved, this emotional rollercoaster of a film depicted with such great acting really has you on the edge of your seat. Whether you know the case well or not before you watch, this movie is gripping from the start to the finish.

The depictions of good cops and bad cops brings a certain degree of realism to the film, with Song Kang Ho's character development and his commitment to the case changing throughout the movie, it shows how at the start he was just focused on getting the job done, but as he becomes more attached to the case he realizes that he doesn't want to just get the job done anymore, he wants to find the right person no matter what it takes. He is already an outstanding, renowned actor in South Korea, and seeing him in his younger years in this older film really shows what incredible talent he has had from the start.

Kim Sang Kyung's character 'the good cop' plays the law-abiding cop who is passionate about the case, coming from Seoul to the very countryside areas of Hwaseong because he is determined to solve these murders and capture the correct criminal too, he is also depicted in an incredible manner. Out of the whole cast you will find yourself relating to this character the most, not only is he compassionate and determined but the frustration and continuous unanswered questions he is faced with will have you on the edge of your seat gunning for him to catch a break on this case.

Overall without too many spoilers, the acting in this film is fantastic, the cinematography shown despite the constant dark settings were filmed beautifully and effectively from the start to the very end of the movie, keeping you interested and engaged throughout it. The plot was developed in an interesting and realistic manner considering it's based off true events. Definitely worth the watch, and a re-watch.

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Sad Kinda Good

I was craving a murder movie and found this. When I saw it was based on a true story, I dove right in. I love serial killer/psychological thrillers and "Based On A True Story" had me stoked af! Unfortunately, it fell a bit flat for me. I understand the crime scenes weren't going to be too graphic but I somehow expected more detail I guess. Keep in mind this was made in '03, so it might not be to everyone's viewing standards. Anyway, it was a bit stale in a few parts but it was definitely realistic with the police brutality and unlawful interrogation that went on.
As horrible as it sounds, this movie made me seriously think about with how infamous this case was that (since he was never caught) if the serial killer ever watched this film himself. The same goes for any unsolved murder that got recognition.
I'm pretty obsessed with the screaming halt/open ending (if that makes any sense). Worth the watch at least.
Enjoy...

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