Memories of Murder - DVD Times review

[Barry Evil]

Based on a series of real-life unsolved killings, Memories of Murder (http://www.dvdtimes.co.uk/content.php?contentid=6025) is a superb serial killer drama from South Korea.

[bruce-leroy]

I have finally watched Memories of Murder after being in possession of the dvd for what seems like years. Was it worth it after so long? Yes and no. Most of the reviews that I had read gave me the impression that this was some sort of instant classic, but I came away thinking that it was merely a very engrossing drama (with the odd thriller element thrown in, but definitely a drama) about Korea's first serial killer.

In the comments section of the dvdtimes review, it is mentioned that the review in The Guardian said that the film "falls somewhere in between Seven and Police Academy." I can kind of see it from that point of view, as there are more than a few scenes which are very farcical. It reminded me of many Hong Kong films in past, which may be serious in tone, but tend to include humerous interludes. To be fair, I don't think this was detrimental to Memories of Murder, and I think that the director handles the shifts in gear/tone with great assurance. In fact, I loved the farcical stuff (especially the interogation with the retarded boy).

Overall, Memories of Murder is a very well paced account of Korea's first serial killer, and the effect it has on the local small town police, who are stretched to breaking point as their efforts prove to be futile.

3/5

p.s. this thread can be moved to world cinema?

[Alan b]

Moving to World Cinema & DVD Forum

[Charles Bronson]

I didn't find it an instant classic either. But that's the problem when film's get talked up as much as this one. I'm sure it will grow on me even more

[RomerojpgX]

I think its an amazing film probibly one of the best of the year when it was out, I loved the tone, its maybe hard to get into for some I can see that, but I loved ever second.

[BiscLimpkit]

Great film... very unpleasant but worth owning I think.

[Jez]

Just watched this and had not seen it before.

Will have to think about it abit more before a decide if i like or not (always like that with me :lol: )

One thing i would like to ask and see what you guys thought is,at the end does he realise after what the little girl has said that it was the pretty boy one the other guy was gonna shoot in the tunnel and who failed the dna? The guy who they tracked and sent the postcards to the radio? Obviously never will know for sure but in terms of the film?

[bruce-leroy]

Just watched this and had not seen it before.

Will have to think about it abit more before a decide if i like or not (always like that with me :lol: )

One thing i would like to ask and see what you guys thought is,at the end does he realise after what the little girl has said that it was the pretty boy one the other guy was gonna shoot in the tunnel and who failed the dna? The guy who they tracked and sent the postcards to the radio? Obviously never will know for sure but in terms of the film?

Yes, it strongly suggests that it was the pretty boy, but there was insufficient evidence.

[Jez]

Ahh i see thanks bruce, thought it was done very well that. Just gives enough that still in 03 he thinks about it and the look to camera was just :clap:

One thing they could have done is explained weather the murders stoped after the tunnel scene and it goes to 03 or is what you ment to assume?

[SIB]

I really enjoyed it but wasn't as good as i had expected. Maybe i read too much into the hype :)

[Shingster]

Just watched this and had not seen it before.

Will have to think about it abit more before a decide if i like or not (always like that with me :lol: )

One thing i would like to ask and see what you guys thought is,at the end does he realise after what the little girl has said that it was the pretty boy one the other guy was gonna shoot in the tunnel and who failed the dna? The guy who they tracked and sent the postcards to the radio? Obviously never will know for sure but in terms of the film?

No no no. I don't know why Bruce said the ending implies the Pretty Boy was the killer after all, but that's simply incorrect. I do agree that the scene in front of the train tunnel kinda vaguely implies the pretty boy was the killer though, but it wasn't the director's intention to make an overt statement on who really commited the crimes.

At the end the little girl tells him that the guy who visited that spot was "just ordinary looking" - as in it could be anyone, all through the film they could never get any conclusive evidence on the killer. Song's character had this thing with looking into someone's eyes to ascertain their inner thoughts, in the final shot he is throwing this out to the audience, not coming to a realisation that the pretty boy was the real killer.

IIRC back when the film was still playing in theatres Bong Joon-ho stated in an interview that the prolonged shot of Song looking into the camera at the audience was the directors way of "grilling" the real killer. If he was out there watching the film then the director wanted to send out the message that the Korean public will never forget his crimes.

[bruce-leroy]

Fair enough Shingster, but that was just my interpretation of it. :D