NYAFF 2011: THE UNJUST Review

As a writer for a site that prides itself on top notch coverage of international cinema - especially from Asia - it pains me to say I'm not that hip to the current wave of Korean films. If I had to take a guess at what I'm known for writing about around these parts I'd say it's a smorgasbord of sorts, with maybe a little more focus on Japanese films and independent American fare. Korea doesn't enter the equation too often. And it isn't for a lack of interest on my part, it's just timing mostly. Now I dug The Host, Memories of Murder, Tae-guk-gi and especially NYAFF '09 favorite Breathless. I usually have no qualms with Korea's high-energy style of acting and entertainment. In fact, on most occasions I prefer it to the Hollywood shtick. Unfortunately, I can't include The Unjust on that list of 21st century Korean films I've enjoyed. 

Seoul is in a panic. A serial killer has been on the loose for three months. The police are in a tizzy, the media is the usual pack of blood hounds, barking at their door. Captain Choi is tasked to bring in the killer or else he'll be put on suspension due to a somewhat dubious internal investigation against him. He calls in a favor from mobster Jang, and together they find a scape goat in child molester Lee. Things get even uglier when Choi crosses paths with Public Prosecutor Joo.

So just who are the unjust of the title? Well when a child molester ends up seeming like the most innocent man in the whole picture...   

Director Ryoo Seung-wan known for action flicks like Crying Fist and Dachimawa Lee, switches gears here to what he hopes is a scorching procedural/thriller. He's lambasting a country-wide corruption, from the top down. Corporate chairmen, mobsters, cops, reporters; they're all in cahoots. Because after all, to live well you've gotta play dirty. Ryoo's actors are charged up, almost literally frothing at the mouth. If there was another title for this movie I'd call it Yelling and More Yelling. 

What Ryoo wants his film to be is hard-hitting, and he pulls out all the stops, recalling everything from Michael Mann pictures to HBO's The Wire. And to be sure it is a stylish, top notch production. It is just so paint-by-the-numbers with a lot of hot air and not much else.

Now look, I know as a reviewer, and more so as just a writer, it is my duty to say something interesting; to be witty and informative, even if I don't like a film. But I'm dropping the ball on this one. I shall make no attempt to hide the fact that this is a poor review. There shall be no more trying-to-be-funny type anecdotes, no snarky critique to polish or hide my tracks. It goes like this: I found The Unjust painfully and utterly boring. It was an absolute chore for me to get through. 

So know that's just me. I hold no disdain for anyone involved in the making of this picture. As I stated it's a fine looking film, there's an audience out there for it, and I bet plenty of you will be at NYAFF. If someone can gleam something from The Unjust; find it thrilling, or fascinating, then good, I am glad. As for me, I wash my hands clean of it, and move onto the next film, because with a festival like NYAFF there's always something else around the corner. And not knowing what that could be is half the thrill... even if it ends up being a bore.

The Unjust has its New York Premiere at the Walter Reade Theater, Wednesday, July 6th. It plays again Wednesday, July 13th. More info and tickets at NYAFF's website.