Deokhyeongju

The story that sets in the 1961, but most of the film was a flashback narration that takes us to the 30 years earlier, in the 30s. This is a biographical film of the last Korean princess to be crowned. Though the film clearly briefs her power struggle over the foreign power. The entire tale was told from her perspective as she saw everything. So, it was real, but historical facts were compromised in places with additional characters or events that more cinematised. That's what the film declared at the opening. To be honest, any biopic would be the same. You can't expect a perfect, a flawless portrayal of a person or the event. Since films are just a recreation to spread the truth, whether they are good, bad or nothing important.

There are lots of Japanese dialogue as the story required it. I have seen other Korean historical films, especially about freedom fight. In this too, you could see that phase of the history, but in a different angle. The 2 hour long film, most of it was drama, but there are some action sequences too. A little love story, but overwhelmed by the princess' own struggle throughout her adult life. Probably one of most misunderstood person for her actions by her own people. Because they have seen only from their own eyes, not the truth, what their princess had gone through. Sooner or later, the truth always comes out, and that's where the narration draws its curtain.

While the Korean is being under the rule of Japan, the 13 year old princess, Deokhye witnesses her father's assassination for his objection over some matter brought by the Japanese officials. Now the grownup princess was forced to go to Japan for her higher studies. But she pledges to return home to her mother and people. That's not what happens, she sees many Koreans trapped in there as the slave workers. Her fight for their freedom becomes her next target, though things take twists and turns, leaving her in the tight spot. The remaining story is to reveal her rest of the life after a long struggle.

❝Never give up until the end. Spring will come again to fields stolen from us.❞

Usually a good Korean film will be recognised well in the international stage. Especially for like this, having a wonderful cast and crew, I did not expect the under-notice. As I have seen it, definitely the film deserves more appreciation. Well, I did not like the film either in the beginning. I thought it was too slow, too long and the events were uninteresting. But the real value of the film came in the later part. Yes, the narration picked up the speed with all the sudden developments. Basically what we would call such film is: a slow start, but concluded strongly. So you have to wait till the end to come to any judgement.

One thing I did not mention so far was the emotions. If I'm saying I liked it, that's mainly because of the sentiments. I did not anticipate that, it was like came from nowhere. As I always say, emotions are a big part of Korean films. In that, sometimes I hated for overusing it, though not in this case. Usually a film inspired by real do have such things strongly. The film did not cover any war events, except orally declaring the details for the viewers to get everything happening around.

Son Ye-jin is the most familiar face from the Korean films and as usual her execution was amazing in this. She was the right choice to play the title role, along with the director that seems he's back in the action with this like his earlier films. Its nothing lesser than any kings and queens films you had seen from the west. Since it was about a princess, her movements were strictly restricted within the walls. Which was one the reason she had nothing big to accomplish than being a puppet, except when she stepped into the Japan. Her Japan visit changed her approach, despite it was done against her will. So there are many things about the princess that you could learn through this film. Definitely a must see if you like biopics and history.

7/10

Well, I was not sure that i will like this movie or not. Normally I don't like historical movies. But after watching the trailer I was eager to watch this movie. As usual like every Korean movie "The Last Princess" will take you to a world of thriller for sometimes. And in the ending, you will be emotional. I am really amazed by the making of this movie. I have to admit that the director has shown everything in this movie perfectly. There is no question about Son Ye Jin's acting. Other characters also played their role well.Most Importantly The History has been shown here in a perfect way. You can feel the pain, you can fear, you can cry while watching the movie. In Conclusion, I want to say This movie has fulfilled all of my expectations.

A good movie must have among other qualities, a solid plot, good interpretations, emotion, suspense and if it is not too much to ask, to include the amazing element. This film gather everything together and much more if we add the depicted splendor of the Old Korean court. From this work so close to perfection you should not talk much. The correct rhythm between the present moment and the past contributes to increase the intrigue in the form of thinking the spectator to himself of "How will these grave and serious situations be resolved?" or "How some people survived from the beginning to the end of the story?. Many positive values are shown to us here such as solidarity, companionship, struggle for ideals, courage but on the other hand as well many negatives such as betrayal, fear, personal interest, falsehood, cynicism and violence and worst of it all: the cowardice of selling oneself to the invading government. It is best to watch the movie and draw each one's own conclusions. Only two issues remains unsolved: The first one: What happened to the bad guy? And the second : Unfortunately In fact, the story did not end so well since the political situation of both Koreas only allows the monarchy in the films.

The movie is about the last princess of south korea who is taken to japan against her will. This movie has been shot beautifully and the potrayal of the different characters in the movie was well done. The ending was emotional and i did cry 1-3 times while watching the movie. This movie is not very fast paced and takes its time to elaborate the emotions of some characters. It is a good movie overall.

The movie is pretty much emotional and, I admit, it made me cry at the end, but besides that, really nothing special. If you watch it you won't regret it, but if you skip it you won't miss much. Technically speaking, the movie is OK, it does not fail anywhere, but it does not impress either, and the acting is good. The plot is ordinary occupation story, with the fact that in Europe we are used to seeing German occupation of European countries while here we have Japanese occupation of Korea. But besides location and different race of actors, this is basically nothing new. I believe that younger generations of Japanese and Korean people should see it, but for the rest of the world, I doubt it is too interesting. Honestly, I was a bit bored. Not enough to give up on it, but if, for example, I was forced to stop watching for some reason, I believe I would not continue later. I would probably completely forget about it. Leading actress is real sweetheart thou, and she was great in her role, but besides that overall impression of the movie is

6,5/10

Eight months later, when I was watching "The Last Emperor", I had the impression that some parts of it were very familiar, as if I had already watched it, and I was sure I didn't. It was only in the last scene that I realized why, because the loan was so large that it could not go unnoticed. "The Last Princess" was apparently created after the model of "The Last Emperor". The titles of the films are almost identical, the story has a lot of similarities, and the end of "The Last Princess" is almost copied from "The Last Emperor". The fact is that the stories of the last Korean princess and the last Chinese emperor by their very nature must have some similarities, but the similarity of these two films is too large to be attributed to coincidence. All other similarities could be accidental, although I do not believe they are, but the end is definitely ripped off.