Bleak Night (2011)

This film was apparently a thesis project for the director from film school, and all I have to say, is that I am quite impressed.

Bleak Night can be uncomfortable at times because it addresses issues like bullying, friendship (in a high school setting), the power (both good and bad) of words, and all the angst and insecurities that come along with being a teenager.

The story is told through a series of flashbacks, which takes some getting used to. The camera work is interesting, as a lot of the shots seem to be hand-held and the color palette of the film is quite gray and drab.

I was completely mesmerized by Lee Je Hoon in this film. Every time he came on screen, my eyes were glued to him. He was definitely the highlight of this film in terms of acting, even if his character isn't necessarily the most likable. Overall, the acting of the cast in this drama is on the better end of the spectrum. All the characters are well portrayed.

My only two gripes with the film: One, there is no explanation of the main character's relationship with his parents and there is a lack of a clear cut ending that satisfied me.

Still, a highly recommended film that shows the darker side of teenage friendships and one of the best South Korean films of the year 2010.

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Despite having to get used to it, I really enjoyed the non-chronological style of storytelling adopted by the movie. After all, our memories are never recalled in chronological order, even though our lives may be lived that way. The story is not laid out neatly for you, but the trajectories of the friendships are clear enough to the viewer by the end of the movie.

The ending is given to you right at the start of the movie, and it's certainly not a happy one. But it sets the stage for the viewer to fill in the blanks. The music is bare bones - appropriate for the bleak tone of the film (no pun intended). The colour palette of the movie and scenery also serves to set the mood for the movie.

Lee Je Hoon is thrilling as the protagonist, swinging from sincere and heartfelt, to threatening and fearsome.

A heartwrenching but rewarding watch.

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This movie is about teen bullying. Not only you will see the victim side but also the bully himself. They started off as good friends until there was a misunderstanding between one of them. Their other good friend tried to help them both to work things out until something tragic happened. I actually feel sorry for the bully instead of the victims. IDK, thats just my opinion.

The only problem I had with this movie was that it started off really slow. There were flashbacks and I couldn't tell if it was the present or their past that was playing. You get used to it after a while though. And there isn't any music being played, maybe just 2 songs but it's really short. That is why I gave it a bad score.

Other than that, the actors did a really great job portraying their characters.

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"The bitterest tears shed over graves are for words left unsaid and deeds left undone." - Harriet Beecher Stowe

When is enough, enough?

The movie centers on the friendship between 3 boys in school - so almost straight away you know where this is going, paired with the title "Bleak Night."
Yes, this movie deals with violence, bullying and suicide. Dark themes that don't really pull any punches, it's pretty much dark all the way through and what I thought was interesting was how almost all the scenes felt so devoid of colour, which I felt ultimately described the boys outlook on life.

This is not a feel good movie, this is a "I gotta think about some stuff now" type of movie.

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Characters

All the characters are pitiful in their own way. And you'll probably end up feeling sorry for someone you never expected to feel sorry for you. I can't put anymore without writing what I'd consider to be spoilers. What I will add though, is that the acting (especially from Lee Je Hoon) was amazing.

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Music

I didn't really notice the music, if there was any. But I think that suited the movie for a few reasons. The lack of music didn't take anything away from the movie, just as how adding it might not have brought anything more to it. It simply is as it is.

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Rewatch

I'm not sure if I'd watch this again. Not because it was bad, but because it's quite an impactful movie that maybe only needs to be watched once to feel the full force of it. I could see myself getting the urge to watch it again though.

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Overall

I give it an 8/10. While the pacing was good for the movie, I felt the flashbacks took me off guard sometimes and I wondered where things placed in the timeline of it all. But still, the movie got its point across in the end. You'll enjoy it, especially if you like to have a long hard think about everything afterwards while you process what you've just watched.

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Story 10/10
The stroy was really great. And I saw a lot of people were confused of flashbacks, but I caught up very quickly. They were clear to understand where was past and where was present. The story was quite deep I could say, the conversations between guys and the way they act indeed showed how high school students are not everyone but there is always that group you know. The shots taken were beautiful and even if the camera was moving it gave a feeling as if you take part of the story and are there observing.

Acting/Cast 10/10
Everyone did great. People say the highlight was the was the main guy Gi Tae (Je Hoon) but I liked all three of them, like all three guys showed great performance and could show the emotions trough their acting that could actually touch your heart.Music 10/10
There was barely any music but why 10/10? Because that was the perfect touch to this movie with soundtracks and songs it wouldn't feel as real as it felt while watching this. In real life you don't hear music in the background and like I said this movie makes you feel as if you are there observing and the music choice here was a great touch.

Rewatch Value 9.0/10
For some people this might not be so bad movie to rewatch even I would be willing to do that after a year or so, maybe even suggest to friends when you know you crave something touching and serious. But this story is like you watch it from curiosity, it just makes you feel like you take part of it and so you're curious where everything it will lead and once it finished well you already know everything so if rewatching maybe after few years.

Overall 10/10
The said genres:Friendship, Mystery, Psychological, School, Youth, Drama did not lie. There was great friendship with a hint of possible more actually and even to brother like relationship, Mystery sure was there as I mentioned here 'curiosity' that keeps you watching. Psychological yes because of all the flashbacks and how it shows the view points,reveals every character's thoughts and memories. School,youth and drama wasdefinitely there so this didn't disappoint at all.

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Realism being to realistic

The weak hero class trauma is hitting again but with none artificial effect. It's raw, the viewer is witnessing everything as part of the friends group. No music, only deep breaths, frictions and squeaks that are going to haunt me. The portrayal of emptiness is field with pain coming from silences and stares.
You can see in their eyes the expression of their feeling which is the opposite of the actual verbal communication. Misunderstanding. Fear of being weak. Toxic masculinity. All this lead the characters to a suit of desperate and traumatising events.
It's heartbreaking and devastating. Lee Jehoon and other actors were really impressive. Was so hard finding this movie online but this was worth it.

"Even if i lose everything, i'll still have you.
Even if others don’t give a shit, as long as i have you, i will be okay."

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