Na Teia da Aranha

A beautiful and sensitive picture about filmmaking.

Overall, it's understandable why the film has such a low rating. Not many people will like it or even want to watch a movie about how films are shot and created. Especially one from Korea. Particularly in 2023.

In a time when superheroes and superficial "works of art" have captured and corroded young minds, and in the era of short vertical videos, a rating of 6+ doesn't seem that low.

I didn't point this out for no reason. The film is packed with characters, actions, and events over its two-hour runtime. Because of this, it might feel drawn-out: so much happens, and only ten minutes have passed. But for me, it had the opposite effect-complete immersion in the story and the events, to the point where you feel like you're part of the film crew, and something depends on you too.

There's little point in discussing the shooting quality, framing, or acting in detail, as it's all clearly visible in the trailer. It's a high-quality production by all standards and in all aspects. So much so that you could quote both the visual moments and the dialogues.

Although Koreans have long been famous for their masterful blending of two genres, I still must note the excellent combination of drama and comedy here. While drama is generally straightforward and hard to surprise with, comedy is always a risk and a matter of taste. The humor here is excellent, as much as it possibly can be. There's no vulgarity, overacting, or leaning too heavily in one direction. Everything feels close to reality but slightly embellished for greater comedic effect. Especially within the film they are making inside this movie.

At some point, I caught myself thinking that this strongly resembles Soviet cinema. Just as grand and beautiful. And it's not just because the Stanislavski method is mentioned in the film, but because of the overall impression and atmosphere.

The main distinguishing feature of this film is that it doesn't just talk about the filmmaking process; it immerses the ordinary viewer (the person on the set) into everything. It shows how and what can happen on set. Moreover-we literally watch the creation of a film within a film and see the final result.

A scene shot in one take is particularly memorable. Everything about it is perfect: from the moment of its preparation to the final realization on the cinema screen. A double pleasure.

If you miss old films or pictures that leave you feeling warm and good inside, and you want to get genuine pleasure from watching-this is definitely what you need.

1) Current Metascore rating: 52/100. This is a travesty, a sick joke. COBWEB is not a masterpiece and there will be moviegoers who find it mediocre or boring, however if you are a professional movie critic, you should be objective. Thank God, this is an artistic creation, not a Holywood propaganda piece obeying to guidelines which have no relation to the Art of Cinema.

2) Kim Jee-woon is a great director. If you don't know him, take a look at his filmography. There is a big chance you have watched some movies of him. COBWEB is not amongst his best movies, nevertheless, it's a good movie as long as you know a few things about what you are gonna watch.

3) So, COBWEB is something like an offbeat comedy. You may call it a comedy/drama, but there are not dramatic moments here. To be more precise, this is a farce, a satire, in the veins of "Day for Night" (1973, François Truffaut). A movie about making a movie. Plot is not complicated, it is easy to follow, there are signs of brilliance, at times it was even hilarious. Overall, it is not a great movie though. It should have been at least 15 minutes shorter and i can't say Jee-woon always succeeds regarding of what he tries to achieve. It's not that sharp nor exciting. Nevertheless, it was interesting all the way until its ending. I enjoyed every scene. Nice acting performances and well directed.

4) COBWEB is a love letter to the Art of Cinema. Lighthearted for a Korean movie, funny, never boring. Don't expect a masterpiece and you will enjoy it as well.

I saw only two reviews on this title and I felt compelled to write mine too :) The movie is good fun, a comedy about making movies, inspiration, failure, and the big massive problem of creating another masterpiece after you made one in the past. The movie is maybe a bit too long, it has some slow moments. And then in the last 20 minutes it picks up rhythm and energy for the gran finale ! Lots of surprises. All the time, for a moment you might think Homer Simpson wrote the script. Maybe there are other layers of meaning in the black and white movie. I enjoyed the actors and the music and the clothes. It has a very nice vibe, it is able to transmit the passion, love and energy necessary to make a movie and the happy atmosphere on set. Go watch it! Give it a go :)

Kim Jee-woon's film blends satire, meta-cinema, and homage to classic Korean cinema, pulling the viewer into a chaotic film shoot where reality and fiction blur constantly.

Visually striking and laced with dark Korean humor, the film is ambitious but suffers from tonal inconsistency and a slightly overlong runtime. Its reflections on censorship, artistic obsession, and the director's ego are intriguing, though often overshadowed by caricature. Song Kang-ho delivers yet another magnetic performance, anchoring the film even when it falters.

Cobweb may not reach the brilliance it hints at, but its originality and cinematic love make it a bold, worthy watch.

No pun intended - this can be seen as a love letter. I would argue not just for Korean cinema (movie making that is), but any all over the world. But of course there are certain things that may be particular and just more on point there. It does play in the 70s, so I assume some things may have changed since then - one would hope so at least.

All that said, great acting - within acting - and movie within movie and all that. Though as is true with almost all movies that have a movie as central theme ... you have to suspend your disbelief ... as in making it non existent, if you catch my drift.

You could argue that we do not see the movie, but a spectator perspective ... fair point, but you mostly do not see the work that has to be done between shots. But that would kind of make the movie a drag ... this is about something else ... about a dream .. about showing critics that things are not as easy as they may think they are. Plus a lot of personal stories of course! May be a bit too long - and I was a bit surprised with the ... let's call it addition in the end ... but I reckon it was necessary ... to give us something back.

Well done to say the least - and realistic in a way (relationship wise), in a very unrealistic way - gotta love it. Also not to be confused with the American Cobweb ... renamed Knock Knock Knock in Germany ...