Each group member did a small review of Park's first vengeance film. The focus of these individual reviews demonstrate how movies effect each person differently.
ENJOY!!!
Dishon Kamwesa's Review
Favorite Character: Ryu ( the deaf character)
How come? : Ryu seems to have a heart that is full of genuine love for his sister. He works double shifts to save up enough money for his sister’s kidney transplant and even attempts a trade in which he pays and forfeits one of his kidneys in return for a suitable kidney for his sister. Although he is unwise in his actions, his intentions are out of genuine love for his family. I also like him because he messes up… a lot, which leads him into a dire predicament. He is both good and innocently misguided.
Least Favorite Character: My least favorite character was the kidney harvester. 
How come? : I did not like her not only because she represented the evil that can exist in greed and theft, but also because she allowed people to be sacrificed in her pursuit of riches. She represented exploitation, greed and a disregard for other people’s well being.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
I thought that the use of familiar thematic design was important. When Yu-sun died, she died at the river while Ryu was burying the body of his sister, he was mourning the death of someone beloved whom he had lost. For example, when Ryu dies, it is at the same place but this time at the hands of Yu-sun’s father, and he is about to be buried at the riverside as well. The incorporation of familiar scenes and retrospective shots, really gives the viewer the right tools to understand the story.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
There are many complex components to Chan Wook Park’s film Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance. The basic plot of the story is tied around the idea of unfortunate events spiraling out of control as revenge produces death after death. There are a few central characters that are most affected and seem to have the most effect on the outcomes of the other characters; these characters are driven to act in extreme ways to preserve the lives of loved ones in their lives.
Other comment:
The message of the film seems fairly simple; revenge can lead any ordinary man to commit heinous acts of violence upon fellow man. This message is portrayed in several different ways as life after life is wasted in the name of redemption and vengeance. Ultimately in the end the message is brought about full circle with each character meeting a worthy fate. The acting is superior, the cinematic quality supreme and the message is presented in a suitable manner; once again Mr. Park, Bravo.
Sylvia DeMarco's Review
Favorite Character: The Little Girl
How come? : She had this charisma that made me smile inside. I also loved her spirit. She was a feisty little girl. I believe Park created this personality for the little girl on purpose. The reason is because I think he really wanted the audience to be moved by her death.
Most Dislike Character: The Sickly Sister
How come? : Yes, her brother was wrong in kidnapping the young girl. However, it did not mean she needed to kill herself over it. If she thought his act was so horrible; she should have made him return the girl with the money.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
One formal device that stood out to me was when Ryu’s girlfriend Cha Young-mi, the anarchist revolutionary, was trying to save her life. She warned Park Dong-jin that if he killed her. The fellow members of the anarchist group would revenge her death. I found this powerful formal device because Park found another way to draw in the theme of revenge in another form. Dong-jin was their torturing Young-mi seeking revenge for his daughter’s death and then Young-mi was using the idea of vengeance as a threat and a form power.
What did you think the plot was of this film?
Accomplishing vengeance only brings about unforeseen consequences that in the end make life even worse than before.
Brynt Werntz's Review
Favorite Character: Ryu
How come? : I thought it was a cool effect to the film that he was deaf, and that he did such a great job in acting.
Most Dislike Character: Dong Jin
How come? : I just didn’t like him in the movie. He killed Ryu my favorite character in the movie.
Name a cinematic device that you deem as the most important or stood out to you the most?
It was very graphic and gory, and they did a good job to make it look as real as possible. It really made the effects much more significant and made you cover your eyes for some parts! It was very visually striking!
What did you think the plot was of this film?
Ryu sister needs a kidney, and Ryu goes to have a kidney taken out at the black market. They take his kidney and money and disappear. He gets fired from work, and kidnaps one of the CEO’s of the company and his sister finds out what Ryu did and kills herself. Ryu goes to bury her, and the Dong Jin’s daughter slips and drowns in the water. The rest of the movie is Dong Jin seeking revenge on Ryu.
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