A_Different_Drummer Review of Windstruck

Windstruck (2004)

2 very interesting movies -- arc-welded together at the hip...

[6/10 · 19 December 2013]

This is going to be one of those reviews that may unintentionally annoy die-hard fans, so let me start by saying that I have done my homework. I have seen the original My Sassy Girl in Korean twice (astonishing -- brilliant -- perfect -- one of the best romances ever filmed) as well as the various knockoffs of MSG from the US and Japan and elsewhere. I am also a huge fan of Korean cinema and indeed have reviewed a handful right here for IMDb. One of the things I absolutely love about Korean movies is that they have absolutely no respect for the standard plot twists and plot devices that most other film-makers revere, regardless of where in the world the story originates. This is usually -- emphasize the word "USUALLY" -- refreshing beyond belief as, when you have perhaps too many movies in one lifetime, you start to anticipate the narrative, and that can take the joy out of a movie very quickly. OK, with the explanation over, I have to say that this is the first Korean movie in my experience where the usual "positive" -- that lack of interest in maintaining the traditional narrative -- actually worked against the production. What you have here -- and I defy anyone to prove otherwise -- is two very different stories mig-welded at the hip. In story #1 we have what might, in some alternate universe, have passed for a sequel to the already-perfect MY SASSY GIRL, only this time Jeon Ji-hyun is a cop and her shy boyfriend risks his life -literally- every time he hangs with her. It was an interesting twist, with potential. About half-way through, we are suddenly thrust into story #2, a Korean version of GHOST, as the aforesaid boyfriend has one NDE too many, and finally shuffles off this mortal coil. And then, just as in Ghost, Jeon Ji-hyun tries to "connect" with him just one last time. Again, an interesting tale overall, and one with potential. The problem -- the flaw that keeps this from being in the same class as MSG -- is that the fitting of the two different tales is awkward. Even if the viewer has emotionally connected with the characters (not hard to do, the acting is, as expected, wonderful, and Jeon Ji-hyun is one of the most photogenic actresses on the planet) the demands the script places on you are nothing short of heroic. It is hard, so hard, to watch this beginning to end without having at least one small **WTF** moment. In short, novel, entertaining, fun, challenging. But not one of the best films of all time.