I am moved to comment after seeing references to the film "Seven". I found "Memories of Murder" to be as unlike "Seven" in style and form as "Star Wars" and "Alphaville" are different sci-fi films.
Anyone should enjoy this movie because it is as well made as any film you have seen that you thought was great. Story, acting and filmcraft all are first rate and come together to show what life was like in South Korea in the mid 80's and weaves the story of of a small group of policemen and policewomen around and through that daily life.
The portrayal of the cops is honest and brutal. They are as flawed as any of us are and do things they shouldn't. Their own frustration with the system is apparent as they take it out on suspects and each other.
The Korea of the 80's is also fascinating as students riot and the whole population practices Civil Defense drills.
The murders are dealt with almost entirely from the cops POV; that is, we see the aftermath and search for clues and evidence. There is plenty of frustration there as the cops we get to know can't get enough uniformed police to control crowds of gawkers and stop people destroying evidence by stepping on it as the murders continue.
See this movie if you like detective stories, or murder mysteries or if you like true event dramatizations.
But the main reason to see is it's just an all around good movie.
Anyone should enjoy this movie because it is as well made as any film you have seen that you thought was great. Story, acting and filmcraft all are first rate and come together to show what life was like in South Korea in the mid 80's and weaves the story of of a small group of policemen and policewomen around and through that daily life.
The portrayal of the cops is honest and brutal. They are as flawed as any of us are and do things they shouldn't. Their own frustration with the system is apparent as they take it out on suspects and each other.
The Korea of the 80's is also fascinating as students riot and the whole population practices Civil Defense drills.
The murders are dealt with almost entirely from the cops POV; that is, we see the aftermath and search for clues and evidence. There is plenty of frustration there as the cops we get to know can't get enough uniformed police to control crowds of gawkers and stop people destroying evidence by stepping on it as the murders continue.
See this movie if you like detective stories, or murder mysteries or if you like true event dramatizations.
But the main reason to see is it's just an all around good movie.