Watch Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is a South Korean thriller directed by Park Chan-wook and released in 2002. The movie stars Song Kang-ho, Shin Ha-kyun, and Bae Doona in leading roles. The film revolves around a young deaf-mute man who seeks to take revenge against those who wronged him and his sister. The film begins with Ryu (Shin Ha-kyun), a deaf-mute, working in a factory for a meager wage. He is desperate for money as his sister needs a kidney transplant, and he can't afford the cost. Ryu's girlfriend, Yeong-mi (Bae Doona), is also struggling to make ends meet, working as a prostitute. She has to deal with violent clients and cruel pimps who make her life miserable.

What follows is a series of unfortunate events that put Ryu, Yeong-mi, and their families in grave danger. In a bid to raise money, Ryu decides to kidnap the daughter of his former boss, Park Dong-jin (Song Kang-ho), a wealthy businessman. Ryu thinks that he can use the ransom money to pay for his sister's transplant. However, when things don't go as planned, the situation spirals out of control, leaving everyone involved in a world of pain and misery.

The movie explores the themes of revenge, morality, and the human condition. It shows how people are willing to go to extremes to get what they want, even if it means hurting others. The characters in the film are flawed, desperate, and struggling to survive in a cruel and unforgiving world. They do what they think is right, even if it's not morally justifiable. The movie blurs the lines between good and evil, leaving the viewer to question who the real villain is.

The acting performances in the movie are outstanding, with the lead actors delivering powerful and emotional performances. Shin Ha-kyun's performance as Ryu, a deaf-mute who doesn't speak but expresses himself through sign language, is one of the highlights of the movie. He portrays the character's emotions and intentions with great depth and nuance. Song Kang-ho is also excellent as Park Dong-jin, a ruthless businessman who is willing to do whatever it takes to get his daughter back.

One of the distinctive features of the film is its visual style. The movie is shot in a gritty and realistic manner, with the use of handheld cameras and natural lighting adding to the film's sense of rawness and intensity. The cinematography is impressive, with the camera capturing the characters' emotions and struggles in a compelling way. The use of colors, particularly red, is also notable, with Park Chan-wook using it to represent blood, violence, and passion.

The film's score is also outstanding, with composer Jo Yeong-wook creating a haunting and evocative soundtrack that complements the film's tone and mood. The sound design is also impressive, with the use of silence and ambient noise adding to the film's sense of dread and unease.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is the first film in Park Chan-wook's Vengeance Trilogy, followed by Oldboy and Lady Vengeance. The movie's ending is open-ended, leaving the viewer to interpret what happens to the characters. The film's exploration of revenge, morality, and human nature has made it a cult classic, and a must-watch for anyone interested in South Korean cinema.

In conclusion, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is a gripping and powerful movie that explores the dark side of human nature. The film's excellent acting performances, visual style, and score make it a must-watch for fans of South Korean cinema and anyone interested in exploring the themes of revenge and morality.

Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance is a 2002 action movie with a runtime of 2 hours and 9 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.5 and a MetaScore of 56.