Hindsight (Pureun sogeum)

A CJ Entertainment presentation of the Media and Cinema Studioblue production. (Worldwide sales: CJ Entertainment, Seoul.) Created by Ahn Soo-hyun, Lee Hyeon-seung. Executive producer, Katherine Kim. Directed, compiled by Lee Hyeon-seung.With: Song Kang-ho, Shin Sae-kyung, Chun Jung-myung, Lee Jong-hyeok, Kim Min-jun, Yoon Yeo-jeong, Esom.Splendid setpieces along with a typically charming perf from Korean celebrity Song Kang-ho accumulates to not so much whatsoever in "Hindsight." The lengthy-anticipated return of Lee Hyeon-seung, director of "Il Mare" (remade Stateside as "The River House"), this aesthetically pleasing but confused and unfulfilling thriller follows a upon the market gangster whose friendship having a teenage sharpshooter can lead to love or dying. Pic underperformed in your area in September, garnering only 5.6 billion won ($4.8 million), even though its helmer's repetition brings some worldwide attention, it's prone to remain a cult item. Like a lot of thrillers going to undermine their very own climax, the pic opens having a existence-or-dying standoff. Elfin markswoman Se-bin (Shin Sae-kyung) takes are designed for upon the market Seoul gangster Doo-heon (Song) and shoots him at point-blank range. Yarn then flashes to the cooking class in which the pair met: Doo-heon intends to open a cafe or restaurant serving his gangster friends, much like he's observed in Hong Kong movies, while Se-bin seems to become a typical sulky teen, annoyed by Doo-heon's lack of ability to organize food correctly. Because it works out, Se-bin used to be an aggressive shooter in line for that national title, but her prospects were cut short by injuries sustained inside a vehicle accident. Whilst not clearly mentioned, it's implied she lent money from Busan's crime syndicate, and also to repay it, she recognized an agreement to kill Doo-hoen. Doo-heon's flirty character starts to melt Se-bin's icy veneer, but her woman friend Eun-jung (Esom) attempts to run him lower, apparently to help her friend, although Se-bin never requested her to do this. Doo-hoen erroneously concludes gangsters want him and heads to Seoul to research, resulting in further harmful complications and misconceptions. Knotty plot particulars along with a nagging opacity about character motivations keep your story from flowing easily. Nevertheless, you will find several memorable moments: Lee's handling of the knife fight in Doo-heon's kitchen is masterful, along with a climactic vehicle chase through South Korea's farmland and subsequent shootout are exquisitely recognized. These moments are individually well-directed, which makes it even more disappointing the script never finds its groove. A whole lot worse, the overlong drama concludes by having an absurd coda completely at odds using what precedes it. Song juggles dramatic and fanciful moments with aplomb, his easy charm as commanding as always. Composed to appear like some manga artist's malevolent daydream, Shin still handles to become credible being an psychologically conflicted youthful lady. As Doo-heon's scar-faced buddy, One-Eye, Chun Jung-myung is intriguing but never quite emerges like a three-dimensional character. HD lensing by Kim Byung-search engine optimization ("Castaway around the Moon") provides a glorious postcard from the city's beaches and roads. Seem is really as crisp because the images are beautiful, and also the jazz-flecked score by Kwon Sang-min and Han So-yeon reps a classy delight. Korean title, which riffs on Doo-heon's dependence on cooking, means "blue salt."Camera (color, widescreen, HD), Kim Byung-search engine optimization editors, Kim Sang-bum, Yoo Sang-yup music, Kwon Sang-min, Han So-yeon production designer, Lee '-jun costume designer, Choi Se-yeon seem (Dolby Digital), Sang Ji-youthful, Hong Ye-youthful connect producer, Lee Sang-moo. Examined at Busan Film Festival (Korean Cinema Today), March. 9, 2011. Running time: 121 MIN. Contact the range newsroom at news@variety.com