Beul-la-in-deu (2011) Reviews

• Horror, but not just

  andrejvasiljevic2011-12-14

  I am not a fan of splattering blood, screams in the dark and psychotic chainsaw killers. Horror may be one of the oldest movie genres, but I really don't see much in it. That may be for the American interpretation and production, however, in Asia the story is a little different. Both Japanese and Koreans have made a very specific mainstream of these movies over the years, and although they can be very much sinister, there is something which brings them above all others. "Blind" is undoubtedly a horror movie. But beside the blood spattering tension, it pretty much contains segments of drama and even comedy at moments. It sure sounds weird, but somehow it just fits together. Min Soo is a young police academy cadet, raised in an orphanage. After she gets involved in a horrible car accident, where one of her orphaned companions dies, she loses her sight and continues to soldier on in life all alone. The police academy days are over, while this beautiful girl is left by herself to fight blindness in a world of little compassion. The sense of guilt for her brother's death in the accident eats her up inside. Little does Min Soo know how she would soon become an unwilling witness and a key player in a hunt for a vicious serial killer, with her life and those around her on the line. "Blind" is a merge of a personal drama with action and horror elements, and that's maybe the reason I liked this film. Unlike the western productions, this brings you closer to the characters and allows you to identify with them. Also, "Blind" confirms a fact that psychopaths are not always some freaks living in forsaken haunted houses, laughing hysterically into the mirror and dancing around in grandma's underpants, but people who disguise in a fairly normal daily life routine. That makes them harder to spot out, and therefore more dangerous. I wouldn't say "Blind" is the best film of the gene I've seen, but it certainly is in the top 10. It's a good material for all fans of Asian cinematography for sure. And another thing... Asian women are simply amazing :D

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• An entertaining thriller with some flaws…..

  ajit21062012-08-20

  Blind is about a woman (Kim Ha-Neul), a former student at the police academy, lost her eyes and only brother in an accident. Living with loss of sight, she bumps into a hit and run case and becomes the witness, and Police requires help from her in order to catch the madcap out for a killing spree. The investigation continues and as we find that she engulfed herself badly with one more eye-witness (Seung Ho Yoo) and the chase begins. The plot is strong but execution is little timid however, the character development is not up to the mark. The tension evolves from start to end. But sometimes lags behind in the script with the appearance of many characters which have less to do and a bit of melodrama. It is not a balanced and perfect thriller like the chaser, Memories of Murder, Mother, I Saw the Devil etc. but still manages to hold your attention by all means. The cinematography is fin and Ha-Neul Kim is simply awesome. Still recommended for every THRILLER lover, because it has all the ingredients of a decent & creepy Korean thriller. 7/10

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• Subtle and Unspectacular, but Solid Enough!

  cremea2012-06-08

  Spoilers, Spoilers, Spoilers. Blind is a 2011 Korean movie about a blind person, who would've guessed?...More specifically, its crime-drama-thriller that revolves around the hunt for a serial killer in which said blind person is the central figure. SPOILERS AHEAD! The film's star (Kim Ha-Neul) is as splendid as always; she plays a former exemplary police cadet who lost both her vision and her younger directionless brother years ago due to a tragic accident which she blames herself for. As times passes, she tries to cope with the accident, and simply move forward in life, as best as possible. Meanwhile, there is a lunatic at large that is killing and torturing young women. The police are baffled and have very few valid leads, until fate intervenes one rainy night and the blind woman comes face to face with the killer himself while he's committing a crime. She's called in for police questioning afterwards as more or less a matter of procedure. She's mostly disregarded at first until it becomes more and more clear to the detective interviewing her that she can provide valuable clues and insight to the case despite her disability. A short time later, a young punk is also called in as a witness to the same crime that the blind woman "experienced". He can see, and his recollection of events of the crime contradicts that of the blind woman. As a result of his differing opinion of what occurred, the police have no choice to consider this another potentially invalid lead, and leave the one detective in charge of sorting it out while they utilize their man power to focus on other leads. Now, as should be obvious at this point, both the blind woman and the young punk actually did witness the killer committing a crime, they just each "saw" it a little differently. And, the killer knows who both of them are, and knows they must be silenced, so the game of cat & mouse is on between the parties. There's a bonding with the young punk and blind woman as they are chased by the killer; this is driven by their instincts to simply survive, but it's also augmented by the back story of them getting to know and appreciate & need each other on a more personal level (i.e. blind woman starts to look upon young punk as another "younger brother" she should take care of and help find direction in life, and the young punk looks upon the blind woman as a person he should look up to and help protect and cherish as the "older sister" he never had). This film is not without its faults, but I think it "works" fairly well enough overall. It does what it's supposed to for the most part, and is complimented by enough suspenseful scenes throughout to keep you watching...I found the subway chase scene in particular to be highly entertaining and quite unique. I feel this movie is definitely a worthwhile watch...so, 7 out of 10 stars for me.

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• Good blind people, bad perfect people...

  fluffset2012-10-14

  Korea always come up with their police story, investigation and whatsoever. But with different idea though. Now they come with a story about a blind woman who witnessed a crime scene. Interesting right? Coz they have so many movie about homicide, psychopath, puzzled mystery and I have watch a lot of them, they have challenge themselves to runaway from what we called, cliché. Funny policeman (Memories of Murder), ruthless murderer (I Saw The Devil) will always come in our mind while watching this movie. But for me, it's okay because it's nailed me actually on my couch. Unpredictable situation, exciting twist, saddy emotional thats' what thriller needs actually. Not like American movie who always come up with serial killer who always wear a freak costume. In Korea, their killers always in smart suit! Highly recommended! Worth watching!

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• Does what a thriller supposed to do!

  chrichtonsworld2012-09-05

  A thriller isn't always about twist and turns or originality. Sometimes a thriller can be just as effective even when it is predictable.Blind gives us a main character called Min Soo-ah we feel connected to from the start.Sure the drama in her life so early on can be considered a little too much.The fact that she managed to move on while having become visually impaired is something that should be admired.(I know people who use their handicap as an excuse for everything.Then there are some who refuse to and keep going and trying to fulfill the dreams they have.And those people are inspiring).Yes,she does suffer from guilt.Given the situation that is very understandable and makes her even more likable.Of course it takes some suspension of disbelief when it comes to a blind person as a reliable witness.But the way they explained some things weren't that far fetching.At one point the killer finds out that and it's obvious our main character and another witness are in danger.Which brings us to The killer.He is is pure evil.I personally do like my villains to be unpredictable and be diverse.If it weren't for the fact that in this case it is so very effective.In one scene especially you will cry out and become angry.This emotional connection is what I want in a film especially the dark ones.It is the element that keeps you glued to your seat.So who cares if it is clichéd or not? Blind does what is supposed to do.One to recommend.

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