Indian Summer (2001) User Reviews

A small winner

[poikkeus · 7/10 · 4 September 2006]

This is a drama that creeps up on you. It's a murder mystery, but understated in its story of a depressed woman accused of murder - and the defense lawyer who tries to prove her innocent

The courtroom scenes are convincing enough, but the real story is between the young lawyer and the accused, who seem so genuine that it hardly seems like acting. Indian Summer doesn't take the easy route of so many Korean films by relying on easy melodrama. It's not over- complicated, but there's a naturalness that gradually wins you over in spite of yourself. As gentle a film as you'll find about murder.

The film succeeds mostly as a result of the two leads - neither overly attractive or charismatic - who gradually build a sense of trust with one another over the course of the defense proceedings.

Predictable but oddly affecting

[Xiayu · 7/10 · 13 November 2005]

As courtroom/relationship dramas go, this one is obvious yet refreshingly portrayed.

A brief synopsis of the plot might go something like this: a lawyer with a temper and a habit of dressing improperly in court (which by Korean standards appears to mean a suit and trainers), finds himself representing a woman accused of murdering her husband.

He sees her for the first time in court, and is of course smitten. And of course, we are left wondering - did she or didn't she? No surprises so far. This movie has been made so many times before, under various titles and in various languages, and will be again, so one wonders: why make yet another with a story line this well-worn? It's a fair question, but the conviction of the players, lead and support roles both, and the naturalism of the acting is enough to push this film out of mediocrity and into something that approaches compelling.

Of the two leads, it is Shin-yang Park as the lawyer who is most affecting and effective. Emotionally stretched by the woman, played by Mi-yeon Lee, but unwilling to give her up, he is pulled from pillar to post trying to build a relationship with a fragile person, who may or may not be guilty of murder. Lee is less effective, but it might just be that the role itself is so understated, and therefore underplayed, that it's hard at times to see why he is so besotted by her.

It's not the best movie you will ever see, but it is well executed, well-acted and very enjoyable. And, somewhat amazingly for a recent Korean film, strong-sex-and-violence free. Recommended, but not unreservedly.