This slick political thriller is the 3-hour director’s cut that speeds along as fast as the plot, with enough intrigue and twists to be the rollercoaster ride that it is.
Written and directed by Woo Min-Ho, the story opens with prosecutor Woo Jang-Hoon (Jo Seung-Woo) about to reveal his evidence of political corruption and bribery. We then jump back several years earlier where we learn of his motivations and the corruption of congressman Jang Pil-Wo (Lee Kyeong-Yeong) that he is attempting to expose. In doing so, he faces the opposition of not only the politician, but media editor Lee Gang-Hee (Baek Yoon-sik), an editorial columnist that uses his position to influence public opinion and support those who pay him off.
Inside Men provides all the action and gruesome moments one expects in such a film, with enough humour to lighten the mood without detracting from the thrill of the storytelling. It’s tight, absorbing, and filled with well-rounded and interesting that provide more depth than expected of such a seemingly clichéd line up of rogues and heroes. There are no weak links in the cast, with Jo Seung-Woo making a fine leading man and his fellow stars and supporting actors all making the grade.
Woo Min-Ho’s script plays out with believability, while the high quality cinematography by Go Nak-Seon making the whole thing slick and visually impressive. Jo Yeong-Wook’s excellent music is another feature well worth a mention.
As one of three films screening on the final day of the 2016 Korean Film Festival, it’s another superb entry into this year’s line up and a fine way to conclude what is shaping up to be a impressive four days ahead. It’s just a pity each film in the Festival only get screened once.
Make the effort.
All films in the Korean Film Festival screen with English subtitles.
Reviewed by Rod Lewis
Twitter: @StrtegicRetweet
Rating out of 10: 9
Inside Men will screen on 18 September 2016 only as part of the Korean Film Festival in Australia (KoFFIA), which runs from 15 – 18 September 2016 exclusively at the Palace Nova Eastend Cinemas.
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