Rough cut

The arrogant action film actor is a bully with a temper and after one tantrum too many finds himself without any willing co-stars, so enter the inscrutable gangster who was in a movie once as an extra and still enjoys watching films. A request for an autograph leads to the first showdown between the actor and the gangster. Western films have led us to believe Joe Pesci and Robert De Niro (and now Steve Buscemi as Nucky Thompson) are the stereotypical gangsters that whack and or whip out a garrote at the smallest slight. Not the stoic Gang-pae, played so well by Ji-Seob So, who barely needs any dialog to convey his thoughts or reactions. From the moment he agrees to be on screen, and to fight for real, I began to get a feeling of dread. His line to the action star about finally becoming a real actor was as heartbreaking in its own way as the events that followed. Like I said, action yes, but the characters made made it a solid film.

Billed as an action movie by trailers, and occasionally funny, Rough Cut is a complex drama playing out underneath an amusing premise.

The two leads share great chemistry and rivalry but manage to avoid a lot of the stereotypes and clichés for buddy action/comedies. The actor must negotiate a deteriorating private and public life while learning how to be less of an ass; the gangster's journey is perhaps more enigmatic and very thought provoking. His trajectory isn't what you'd expect from Hollywood cinema.

The two characters have their own distinct lives, which are interwoven mostly through their commitment to the film, which punctuates the ending with what may be the only major full action scene. (and it's plenty visceral to behold) This movie is easy to get into, but deep enough to truly reflect on. It's a little gem of entertainment.

Hard to describe this movie in a foreign language. You can read the other reviews for details, i believe that their descriptions are right. All i can say is that this movie is a strange movie, strange in a remarkable way. Kim Ki Duk has written the script, don't expect something heavy or depressing, expect a modern film noir(?) and some terrific performances from the actors. (The actor who plays the gangster gives one of the best performances i have seen recently). If you want to know some similar movies, i will not be able to help you, because, movies like this, are a genre of their own. I wonder in how many ways, Hollywood would destroy Kim Ki Duk's script: Τhis is not a comedy, this is not a gangster film, this is not a drama nor an action film, but it manages to combine all these and make something new. I am looking forward to watch his new movie, Pieta.

PS I haven't mentioned the director and this is not fair because he also did a great work.For sure,i will search for his other movies.

Gang-pae, played by So Ji-sub, is a local organized crime leader who still wishes he could be in movies. Su-ta, played by Kang Ji-hwan, is a haughty actor who is easy to provoke. Within his latest film, where he plays a gangster, he gets into the role too much and sends one of the stuntmen to the hospital. The two men meet by chance at a room salon and Su-ta enlists Gang-pae to join the production. But this real life gangster will only join the production if the fights are real. The two main characters continue to try and one-up the other every chance they get (plot).

Rough Cut's interesting premise delves into parallel stories involving Gang-pae's gangster life, the filming of the movie within a movie, and Su-ta's shallow personal life, if the story seems convoluted don't worry, it is linear and doesn't bother to delve more than skin deep examining those issues, the film's focus is rather on two men and their violent confrontations on screen. Ji-seob So becomes an incredibly charismatic figure, using his calm, cool demeanor that houses a monsoon of emotions underneath, Ji-seob So quickly takes over the film until it is literally his movie. His counterpart Ji-hwan Kang, performs satisfactorily as "Su-ta," but there is a mile difference between their screen presence. Rough Cut has what it takes to win you over with ease.

Watch it, it has all of the elements of a good JPF movies film—which is hard to come by, and yes Dangerous you will like the choreography of the fights scenes in this film, I recommend this film to every one like some drama or crime drama with a few decent fight scenes thrown in.

5/5

First of all, I'd love to point out that I've seen all the 3 films of this director and this was the last one I saw.

When i got the glimpse of the faces of the two actors, I though This would be a predictable ''there is a problem'', ''gangster'' film. Nevertheless I watched it for the sake of the director.

(I highly recommend his two other films. Both are very very awesome.)

When the film was over, i was left speechless, shocked and regretfully happy inside my heart.

This film goes over the humane problems and unfolds all the rigid and complex architecture of attitudes in two people: a gangster and an actor.

Acting, script/Story/plot, scenes, originality: all 10/10. This film is a masterpiece and is Highly Recommended to anyone who appreciates complex and masterful directing. Just watch it. Pure awesomeness. You will not forget this.