Villain and Widow (2010)

Disppointing

I'm using the word disappointing because I'd hoped something better from the duo of Kim Hye-soo and Han Suk-kyu.
They both are such exceptional actors, that it's only fair to expect the best from them.

I wouldn't say that I'm that much disappointed with the movie, but because I'd expected better from them.

The story is about a villain, Chang-in, (han Suk-kyu) who is a robber stealing cultural artifacts. He cuts out a deal with a business chaebol to deliver him a set of teapot, which is an ancient artifact and has a very high value.
But that item is in the house of the widow, Yeon-joo (Kim Hye-soo) who is living alone with her daughter and is in depression.
Jeon-joo's daughter was a child actor, whose popularity has faded, and she is constantly bullied by her classmates. The relationship between mother and daughter is limited to make her food and drop her to school. No ocnverstation, no playing with her, no talking, nothing.
He disguised himself as an author and rented out the room from Yeon-joo, to snoop around the house and steal that item.
One thing led to another, and Chang-in wooed Yeon-joo in order to gain access to her house and basement.

The basics story is whether he would be able to retrieve that item and can they both be in a relationship that is not based on deception.

While I found the story to be interesting, the execution was not up to the point.
Hye-soo and Suk-kyu lacked any form of intimacy or chemistry.
But the worst thing is how the relationship of daughter and Yeon-joo developed over the course of the movie. Least to say, I was not happy with how she was portrayed in the movie. The writing could've done a better job in developing a better character arc for Yeon-joo and also for her daughter. Yes, the ending suggest a better relationship between the two, but in the end the execution was not perfect.

I watched this movie because of Kim Hye-soo, and as her fan, I was not disappointed by her acting, but things could've been a much better. I think the direction was lacking, especially in the second-half.
Not only that, but I didn't quite like how the character of Seong-ah was handled.

Story wise - 6/10
Acting - 7/10
Overall - 6.5/10

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