No Mercy For The Rude

I've been a growing fan of South Korean films for the last 2 years, and continuing on the South Korean film spree at the Vancouver International Film Festival, "No Mercy For The Rude" builds on that great entertainment and story that is ever so present in recent South Korean films to hit North America, at least in this neck of the woods. Heavily into action and violence, like the recent Old Boy and Lady Vengeance, "No Mercy" is the story of one killer, played brilliantly by Shin Ha-Kyun, who is killing so that he can make enough money to cure his muteness in order to utter "I love you" to a girl he's loved from childhood, unknowing for the most part that she is closer than he thought. And being the main character, one sympathises with him as he only kills those who deserve it.
The script is well written and the killing, to quote Shin's character, is almost like a dance with careful steps in the killers' professionalism. Subtle hints in the narrative lead to nice backstory. Shin's voiceover narration is also one of freshness that not many films will employ to communicate the thoughts and feelings of the protagonist (exception, see Adaptation). Perhaps it's welcome is also due in part to the fact that he is unable to speak, keeping everything to himself. Maybe everything is only a matter of mind over matter as in the end, he utters the three words he most wanted to say. A beuatiful ending, one we don't want to see but yet understand.

And did we mention bullfighting and matadors? The soundtrack is quite unique given the country of production, but lends an almost playfulness to the protagonist and his hopes and dreams despite the path he's on.