An assassin goes to Thailand in order to solve a kidnapping case linked to him and finds himself chased by a man whose sibling he killed.
Writer/Director Hong Won Chan’s debut feature treads familiar territory and that’s a good thing. Centered on a burned-out assassin, there are similarities with “Taken” but it’s mostly inspired by “Man on Fire.” Chan wrote “Chaser” and “The Yellow Sea” and his direction with cinematographer extraordinaire Hong Kyung-pyo is perfect. Filmed in three countries, each place has a distinct aesthetic: Tokyo in muted browns greens, Korea in grey blues, and Thailand in natural yellow light and shades of crimson. Kyung-pyo is a legend in Korea and here a few titles he shot: “The Wailing,” “Burning,” “Mother,” “Snowpiercer,” and “Parasite.” His low-hanging camera angles and smooth tracking shots floating through the urban landscape and neon-drenched Bangkok streets display why he’s one of his country’s top cinematographers.
Kim In-nam (Hwang Jung-min), an assassin, is getting day drunk waiting for his contact. After having successfully garroted a Yakuza boss, In-nam’s contractor collects fifteen percent from the pay and offers the hitman “one last job.” Watching In-nam down glasses of beer and whiskey, it’s clear that he needs a break. In-nam tells his contact, “If you don’t keep true to your word, you’ll be my last job.” In-nam doesn’t want to be hiding in the shadows, waiting for targets forever. He’s got his sights set on retirement and keeps a postcard of a Panamanian Beach marks the spot/promise/hope.
This is a big-budget feature between the popular cast, film crew, and globe-trotting locations. The screenplay moves to Thailand where Seo Young-joo (Choi Hee-seo) is enticing real estate investors to purchase parcels of land on her golf course. During the meeting, Young-joo’s babysitter kidnaps her Daughter Yoo-min (Park So-yi). Young-joo calls In-nam for help but he doesn’t answer.
A flashback reveals In-nam and Young-joo used to be lovers and spies for Korean Intelligence until they were forced into exile by supervisor Kim Chun-sung (Song Young-chang). The two spies’ departing kiss is interrupted by a thrilling elevator fight. In-nam faces off against two foes wielding silenced pistols and he kills them both before the screenplay jumps back to the present. Now back in Korea, In-nam is standing over Young-joo’s body in the morgue. Distraught, In-nam meets with Chun-sung at a café with a stunning sunset for some answers. Chun-sung reveals that Ray (Lee Jung-jae) is out for revenge because the agency killed his brother before the spies were ousted. Ray aka “Ray the Butcher,” is quite handy with blades. While Ray is introducing himself to an unfortunate victim about to be tortured for information, the scene showcases Hong’s great exposition, and even better it ends by implying rather than showing us violence. Ray’s glammed style is sensational. He wears a wonderful wardrobe of large blazers and tiki shirts showing off the large tattoos around his neck.
In-nam begins his own investigation and his form of torture is removing teeth and fingernails with a pair of pliers. As nasty as the image is, Hong does a solid job showing blood but cutting from gory visuals. In-nam is less flashy opting for nice suits and a field jacket.
There’s plenty of good homages, particularly when Yui (Park Jung-min) performs a cover of Wounded Bird by Charles & Eddie from the “True Romance” Soundtrack. Yui is a Trans sex worker who offers information to In-nam and tags along. She also adds some natural humor. Ran (Vithaya Pansringarm who co-starred in “Only God Forgives”) is perfectly cast as a ruthless ruler of the Bangkok criminal underworld.
Above all else, the action is wonderfully choreographed. The framing and editing are flawless. Fight scenes use whip-pans following each punch and cameras mounted on dozens of cars getting smashed. Even more surprisingly, it’s an emotional finale. This film victoriously takes a formulaic plot and refines it.
Available on Blu-ray™, DVD and Digital May 25th
