The Handmaiden (2016)

DVD CASE/ SIDE

Length of film:  145 Minutes (Extended: 168 Minutes)

Rated: 18

Genre: Thriller, Romance, Drama

Director: Park Chan-wook

Starring: Kim Min-hee, Ha Jung-woo, Cho Jin-woong, Moon So-ri, Kim Tae-ri, Lee Yong-nyeo, Yoo Min-chae, Lee Dong-hwi

IMDB Rank: 8.1/ 10

Part 1 Time:  63 Minutes (Extended: 74 Minutes)

Part 2 Time:  82 Minutes (Extended: 94 Minutes)

***Director Park Chan-wook divides the story into three parts. Due to a major plot twist, a perfect narrative pause would be at the conclusion of part 1.

Where does the first part end? In a major twist Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri) is double-crossed by Count Fujiwara (Ha Jung-woo) and Lady Izumi Hideko (Kim Min-hee). Sook-Hee is committed to the asylum in place of Lady Hideko.

Final line of dialogue on the first part: Lady Hideko narrates; “I tell you, right from the start Miss Izumi Hiseko had always been a rotten bitch.”

First line of dialogue on the second part: Part two begins with a flashback to Lady Hideko as a child who is about to be punished. Young Lady Hideko shouts, “I’m not a rotten bitch!”

How jarring is it when the first part ends? Jarring, this is the first of many plot twists within the film. Originally it was assumed that Sook-Hee and Count Fujiwara were working together to get Lady Hideko’s fortune, but instead Sook-Hee is committed to the asylum.

Which part is better? Part two is significantly better as Lady Hideko’s dreadful childhood is revealed adding more depth to her character and intentions. The final hour of the film is tense and provides many unexpected twists.

Academy Awards: None

Other Awards: 2018 BAFTA– Best Film Not in the English Language (Winner); 2016 Palme d’Or (Nominated);