Seven Days

I was eagerly anticipating the return of Kim Yoon-jin to Korean movies after her long absence due to the 'Lost' TV show. What I didn't anticipate what a tired, confused and ludicrous thriller she'd end up starring in; granted she was parachuted into the production at short notice but didn't she read the script first? Re-tread the well-worn elements of the CSI franchise, stretch them out to a painfully overwrought 2 hours, toss in so many nonsensical plot twists so as to induce migraine and you're pretty much there with 'Seven Days'. The movie starts off running, which is no bad thing (given how many kidnapping movies we'll all seen) but then proceeds to twist and turn like the coherence of a headless chicken. Single-dimension characters with 'plot function' written on their foreheads do not make for an engaging thriller and the less said about the incongruous opening title sequence that shamelessly apes 'Se7en' the better.

Korean movies can be big-scale (Taegukgi), they can be thrilling (Memories Of Murder), they can be bleak (Sympathy For Mr. Vengeance) and still be excellent. 'Seven Days' is none of these; it's a nasty, crudely executed, schizophrenically edited and cack-handedly directed piece that wastes your time and the talents of Kim Yoon-jin.

Seven Days stars Yunjin Kim from the critically acclaimed T.V. show "Lost". It's about the fight for justice in the midst of corruption and I can definitely say is absolutely satisfying. The way the events play out and the way the film keeps the audience engrossed is a treat.

The Filmmaker does manage to bring some of the best traits from Hollywood into Korean Cinema. The production values are slick, with a gritty look and style which help to set up the mood and tone of the film. Violence has always been a problem with Korean films and here there is some but never to shock, more to elevate the story. The characters are believable and the film truly has some heartbreaking scenes.

One last thing : The twists keep coming and turning which will keep you on the edge of the seat. It's an interesting case unraveled.

Final note - Seven Days succeeds in combining the courtroom drama/criminal investigation with the kidnapping thriller sub-genre. It delivers two hours of solid entertainment and what more could you want?

I don't know why did this movie get bad ratings, and I don't care since it's always a matter of taste. However, and what I do resist strongly, if most of bad ratings came from Americans and Brits then you need to shut the hell up and get yourself a life! The lights shed on Hollywood made Americans and English people think they are the gods of cinema and movies. Your thrillers and crime movies are a drop in the sea of Korean ones. Amazing twists, a very good plot, thrilling and touching. Well done, Korea.

I would give this film 9/10 if only the director chose the right actress and a better storyline. It is an exciting thriller movie. It starts with the kidnapping of a leading lawyer. The kidnapper claims her to take the case of a murder to release her daughter. The story revolves on what she does to fight the murder case. The lead actress in the movie plays the role of the lawyer. She is so pretty I would love to see her in many movies. But to play a major role in a thriller she just screwed it up. If she was like the lover/wife of the protagonist, then she would have been perfect. However, for this movie, you need a strong character, who has brains and bravery. For the whole movie, she acts like a housewife that is sentimental and more concerned about the kidnapped daughter. Again, such roles will fit with a concerned mother in a movie, but to be the lead role that too of a lawyer, she should have done better. At times, she looks dumbfounded, if not completely lost. To be precise, she is like a deer in a headlight. I wish the director chose someone better to play her role. Other than that, the side-kick to help her is good. He presents the perfect guy in the movies. The story has a mystery and I would recommend to people who love thrillers. But again if you are a fan of Sherlock Holmes or one who expects a cold detective, this movie will not satisfy your tastes. Here and there, there is useless emotion and sentiments. They are like speed breakers to thriller movies. Overall, it is fine.

Decent thriller ruined by excess of zooming and panning of camera.