Park Chan-wook going west: on "Stoker"

Novella 2022-03-25 09:01:10

The director and bright cast made me put this film on the wishlist of 2013 early on. Finally I was able to see it on SIFF.

The first feeling, what about the lovely freckles on Mia's face? Damn make-up artist heavily powdered her. But it feels more gothic like this, chilly.

In my impression, Mathew Goode is still a young handsome guy who traveled to Europe with Mandy Moore (Chasing Liberty) or a rich second generation (Match Point) who is extravagant. He actually started playing the role of an uncle in a flash... But it's still very charming.

Closer to home, Park Chan-wook is my favorite director, and the film still has a very strong austere style, with violent aesthetics and the use of classical music reminiscent of "Old Boy".

There are a lot of shadows in the film Shadow of a Doubt, which I like very much, such as Whistle, and Uncle Charlie. To be honest, it kind of distracted me because I couldn't help comparing the two.

The plot is more predictable, and the focus is mainly on the use of the camera and editing. The song with the last paragraph is very good, I don't know who sang it.

The title notices that the cameraman is Korean, who should be Director Park's long-term partner. Some of the leading actors' performances are more blunt and blunt, which should be related to the director's lack of English and to communicate with them through translation. (Li An can straddle the East and the West, and the language ability is indispensable).

Also, the soundtrack turned out to be written by Philip Glass, no wonder the level is extraordinary.

In short, you can take a look at the visual school that accepts the unharmed plot and pays attention to intuitive feelings.

7 out of 10

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Extended Reading

Stoker quotes

  • Whip: I'm seriously hurt.

    Charles Stoker: Shut up.

  • Charles Stoker: She always used to say: "There's nothing a man could master that a woman couldn't make."

    India Stoker: What do you mean?

    Evelyn Stoker: That sounds better in French.