Fierce gang boss Jang Dong-su (Don Lee) is violently attacked after a fender bender on a rainy night. After fighting back, he barely escapes, however his reputation as a feared leader is damaged beyond repair. The only way to restore his image is to find his attacker and exact revenge. Jang teams up with Detective Jung Tae-seok (Kim Moo Yul) to find the assailant but soon discovers the attacker is actually a serial killer. With no support from the police department, Detective Jung is forced to use gang boss Jang’s resources in order to track down the killer. The two men must work together to find a man simply known as “K.”
No, the title isn’t based off a joke opening with an unlikely trio walking into a bar, according to the opening credits, this story happens to be based on a true story. Aptly titled, “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil” is set in August 2005, but I had no luck finding the original true crime inspiration for the story.
In the pouring rain two cars are driving through the night on a dark and quiet street. One car intentionally rear-ends the other whose driver proceeds get out of his damaged car, flummoxed and begins documenting the damage to his vehicle. Without warning the other man who intentionally hit him begin to stab the hapless man with a large knife. Although it’s a predictable outcome regardless, it is well-staged and paced, and a memorable introduction to The Devil (Kim Sung-kyu). After the murder, the police force views it as a random attack, nothing more than a crime of passion. Cut to the titular Cop named Tae-Sok (Kim moo-yul) who is stuck in traffic en route to an illegal gambling operation to crack some heads and punish anyone foolish enough attempting to bribe him. He’s a brash yet charming character with funny lines and never too shy to yell in victorious excitement. The Gangster, named Jang Dong-soo (Ma Dong-seok), is a large and in-charge man covered in tattoos and scars introduced pummeling a heavy bag in a gym. Turns out some screw up is in that heavy bag just taking blow after blow. Once again, another memorable introduction, and uniquely diabolical. Dong-soek Ma is most known for his memorable turn in the frenzied and wildly unique, “Train to Busan” (if you haven’t seen it, it’s on Netflix in the US).
Tae-sok is called to the scene of the murder to give a second opinion and determines the act was premeditated. He’s officially on the case to catch the Devil, also known simply as K. He’s able to put together the obviously connected murders and in typical police skepticism, his superiors don’t believe him. I must say after recently reading a couple of books on serial killers, it’s sadly an accurate trope that the top brass doesn’t always heed valid advice. Like Déjà vu, Dong-soo is intentionally rear-ended and due to minor damage, he tells the stranger not to worry about it. K attacks him, catching him off guard but the brawny gangster isn’t going down easily and the two battle it out in a nice dramatic rainfall. K runs off, leaving the big man injured in the street from the traumatic conflict. While he’s in surgery there’s a gangland war occurring, and a potential power vacuum, the top boss role is up for grabs. He’s visited by another criminal acquaintance who wants compensation and retribution for the beef, in the crime business there’s no shortage of enemies.
K is also convalescing from their brawl, he kills another poor soul unfortunate enough to cross his path. Tae-sok visits Dong-soo in his hospital room the two reluctantly begin to work together. Tae-sok is convinced K was the attacker. After some interesting occurrences, the two opposing sides team up to take out the larger threat. There’s a deal struck, if the police get him first it’s prison time and promotion for Tae-sok, if the gangster succeeds, the devil will pay the ultimate price. There’s one particularly hilarious scene where Tae-sok is told K had consumed a bottle of soju at a local café. The cafe owner explains she’s sent the bottle to the recycling facility with her refuse and the small team of detectives must sort through hundreds of cases to find the one bottle he used, an almost literal needle in a haystack.
At times the story is a bit too advantageous with peculiar coincidences to tie things up, I really wish I got to read the original basis to compare the fact from fiction. I enjoyed the polished camerawork and editing, thankfully not too many cuts resulting in a stylized yet concise aesthetic. The dialogue is funny when it needs to be and the set pieces are pretty darn thrilling. This film’s stunts are admirable, the fights visceral and don’t feel trite. Tae-sok and Dong-soo have genuine onscreen chemistry, they jest and challenge each other, although Dong-soo’s performance steals the show. I like the genre-blending of cops and robbers with a psychopathic killer added into the mix. K is also well cast and creepily realized enacting ruthless murders with a deranged forced smile. The mixing of two popular styles calls to mind “I Saw the Devil,” which similarly melded a straight-up action story and a psycho killer narrative. The location of the film is Seoul, South Korea and it is a treat to view with its traditional and modern architecture steeped in different shades of neon. Korean cinema has been exporting compelling original stories for years and with a Sylvester Stallone-produced remake in tow, you should add “The Gangster, the Cop, the Devil” to your queue.
Available on Digital & Blu-ray October 1st From Well Go USA Entertainment
