The Man Standing Next

Its another political history drama, this one about the build up towards the assassination of president park in 1979. all this was uncharted teritory to me, knowing extremely little about south korean history, but interesting it was, and something new ive learned.

historical dramas do have frames to follow when the story shall be told, so you cant waver around the bush as in a non fictional drama. but the build up for me knowing less than nothing it was quite intense, the actors good, and as usual the score of south korean film making of high quality.

even though there was a bit too many Parks in the plot, the grumpy old man will recommend a watch, south korean politics and democracy were and maybe still are a wasps nest to rule.

You know when they say that good intentions can go wrong? What if you can't actually tell if they went wrong? Who is to say what right and wrong is anyway? I wouldn't dare say I understood every little bit of history that was presented here (this is one of those cases where it makes sense, at least afterwards) to get into what the movie was about. Yes this is based on real characters and events - and yes it can be confusing to a degree.

Especially because of all the grey areas this covers. And power grabs and jealousy, rivalry and pure horror/fear inside ones mind. To at least a certain degree, things displayed here, would be things you'd attest or expect from North Korea(n goverment), not from the one in South Korea. But when not all is developed yet, when people have to go to the streets to protest for certain things and rights ... well things get and are complicated.

So this is very well made and really amazingly acted. If political thriller/drama is in your "playlist"/something you enjoy watching, this is definitely worth watching. Otherwise you may have issues with it and it's pacing ...

As good as expected. Powerful performances, tense, good pace, very well shot, magnificent use of shadows and dark scenarios in line with the theme.

Koreans know how to tell the stories of their history. I would be so proud if Portugal was capable to do something similar with our rich history...

It's all about acting and Music and rhythem. Thriller movies are very dangerous to make cause 4/10 will be totally disaster. Well, after I watched this movie first thing came out from my mind is it's only Jan.26 and I've alreay seen the best movie released in 2020 period. You will probably say hey man, there is 11 more months to go. Nope. This is it. The movie is about Kim who assasninate the president Park which really happened in South Korea back in 1970s. Many people thaught the Kim is the bad guy and the President Park is the lendeng who made Korean a rich country now. But you know what? That is not exactly true. Afte being in that seat for 18 years, he was totallt corrupted. Someone had to kill him. He was a dictator which no one can touch like Kim Il Sung.

The last 20 minute was so intensed that I couldn't even lean my back on the chair. I had to watch with my back bent towrd the screen.

Not even one minute to feel boring. Great movie.

A slow-burning political drama from South Korea, this one tells the true story of a military dictatorship of the 1970s and how it ended in an abrupt and bloody fashion. It's anchored by a wonderfully underplayed and sensitive turn from Lee Byung-hun, aided by a strong cast. It's a really slow moving piece that nonetheless captures you with its icy realism and attention to detail, the political backdrop carefully depicted. The last half an hour is as tense as they come.