Audience Member
Green Fish tells the story of a man named Mak-dong, who returns home after service in the military. Trying to find a new job and some easy money (Plus a fascination with a woman named Mi-ae) he becomes involved with gangsters. Things seem to go well, but Mak-dong soon realizes he's in over his head as he falls in love with Mi-ae, who is the girlfriend of his boss. While the story seems cut and paste, Green Fish goes above this. Gangster life isn't glamorized, and it's more about Mak-dong as he tries to find his place in the world before realizing he's ensnared himself in such a dangerous situation. This isn't a film about the usual gangster film tropes, it remains a very character-oriented story that the viewer can sympathize and identify with, such as the scenes between Mak-dong and Mi-ae, as their relationship grows and they share hope of a better future away from all this. It feels very rare to this kind of glimpse into that world, and all the more reason Green Fish is such a marvelous and compelling drama. If you like your gangster films to be more outside the box or just enjoy a good drama, then Green Fish may be what you're looking for.
Rated 5/5 Stars •
Rated 5 out of 5 stars
02/26/23
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Audience Member
This first film from Lee Chang-ding has some pretty good ideas though it's very academic filming. It's not a must see but it's definitely a good one.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/18/23
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Audience Member
"Green Fish" will astound you--A nice "modern life" film!!
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/22/23
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Audience Member
It is a sad noir movie. It is a story about a man who is making his life devastated as his hometown is getting developed. Plus, perfect casting!
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/23/23
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Audience Member
I'm lazy...
[img]http://www5.ocn.ne.jp/~irsun/cinema/greenfish/image/GFstill_home.JPG[/img]
[b]Green Fish [/b](Chang Dong-Lee, 1997): ah, life can be such a bitch. This is the director's debut, a slow and meditative film on the life of a confused, lost man. Makdong, a young and naive man who just got back from the army, finds his fate undefined and uncertain: as he returns home, he finds the dismembrement of his family, the decadence of his society. He ends up joining a group of city gangster who will eventually lead him to his disgrace. This film isn't very striking, it is not really original, but it's very well told: the director is clearly critiquizing the modern korean society, contrasting it to the old, traditional, family-driven society. The film moves deliberately, with occasional violent and emotional outbursts. The protagonist is well played by Suk-kyu Han, and the film improves when Kangho Song shows up. It's interestingly photographed, featuring a nostalgic score, but I just felt a little empty at the end. It's worth a watch, though.
[img]http://www.filmfestivalrotterdam.com/photo/film/010060A/s-380.jpg[/img]
[b]Blue Spring [/b](T. Toyoda, 2001): another hardcore social commentary, this time centered on Japan and its educational systems decadence. It's set in an average japanese high school. Now, I expectd some kind of [i]kids Return [/i]but this is way more shocking. I'm a bit skeptical about it: the vision of the education centers which is presented here is a bit scary, even disturbing. It's about a group of confused teens, product of a society which not only despises and ignores them, but also doesn't seem to encourage them to meet their goals. The troubled students, which lack emotional and educational support, end up choosing the wrong paths (such as joining the yakuza) or commiting insane acts. The film is shocking, extremely gritty (perhaps too much), but expertedly directed and well acted (Ryuheid Matsuda, known for his role on [i]Gohatoo[/i], stands out). Besides, the rock score fits very well in the film's tone. It's perhaps a bit extreme and not very subtle.
[img]http://www.ambafrance-th.org/cinematheque/images/films/118.jpg[/img]
[b]Le Feu Follet [/b](L. Malle, 1963): this is my first experience with the french director, and I was quite impressed. This is quite possibly the best example of "existentialist" cinema I've come across: it's a captivating film of the last two days of the life of a man who, distrubed by the mediocrity of his life, decides to kill himself. Quite a desperate movie, throughoutly interesting but ultimately tragic: contains an impeccable visual look and a complex content which is worth discussing. I'm not sure if I was ready to see this movie, time will tell. Concerning the acting, kudos to Maurice Ronet for his flawless performance, which makes the lead feel believable; and it's always good to have Jeanne Moreau around. The extraordinarily simple piano score is worth mentioning as well.
Rated 3.5/5 Stars •
Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars
02/02/23
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Audience Member
[size=4][b] 'Green Fish'[/b][/size]
[i]Lee Chang-dong, 1997[/i]
[img]http://i203.photobucket.com/albums/aa292/jedimoonshyne2/greenfish-1.jpg[/img]
A few days ago I watched Lee Chang-dong's first film, and as expected the man continues to impress. That's three films of his I have watched now, each unique and wonderful in it's own way. '[b]Green Fish[/b]', as stated was his debut film so I expected the little rustiness that was on show. That said the opening thirty minutes grab you unlike '[b]Oasis[/b]' or '[b]Peppermint Candy[/b]' does. A noir of sorts yet with little emotion from the central character. The [i]'boy straight out of prison/army is looking for work, falls in with the wrong people and in love with the boss' girlfriend/wife/daughter'[/i] tale is woven as if on unworn ground, and simply the setting itself is refreshing. Similar to the more recent '[b]Memories of Murder[/b]', in the fact that it uses a quiet Korean suburbia on which to impose a well-known Hollywood genus with a twist. Some beautiful direction that ties in well with the script, such chemistry that is often overlooked nowadays. It involves a degree of synergy that only comes from the minds of writer/directors, who are unfortunately a dying breed in the film industry of today. None of these doubtful aspects can be applied to Korean cinema however. It is witnessing the peak of a golden generation of contributors, intent on serving up refreshing visions that draw upon experiences and imagination rather than the latest un-adapted comic book character.
[b]8/10 [img]http://images.rottentomatoes.com/images/user/smilies/fresh.gif[/img][/b]
Rated 4/5 Stars •
Rated 4 out of 5 stars
02/05/23
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