Changing Partners (2007)

The movie had very a Allenesque quality about it (that is, similar in style to films made by Woody Allen), and since I like most Allen films Changing Partners worked really well for me. There were the crisp, clean visuals; the nicely groomed protagonists set to play against the backdrop of an upscale, sophisticated Seoul; marital discord and a darkly comedic commentary on the gamble of love. Somehow, while this story has been heavily explored in other films, Changing Partners offers a more palatable treatise, one that surprises you with its subtle depth.

The cast was great. In particular Lee Dong-gun in the role of the emotionally detached workaholic. Veteran actress Uhm Jung-hwa doesn’t always convince me with her efforts and this time around she almost did, but not quite. At least there were no hammy, over the top performances, from any of the cast members, to grate on the nerves. The bond that developed between the second couple stirred my emotions.

Overall a movie well worth the watch if you like sophisticated, mature dramas that make an attempt to demystify the complexity of romantic relationships.

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