Chihwaseon Review
Chihwaseon is a very pretty film, but it comes up a bit short on dramatic power and emotional resonance. Accomplished director Im Kwon-Taek has a keen visual sense, which is critical for this period film (set in the mid-19th century) about a painter. The production design and cinematography are splendid. The scenes of Jang Seung-ub (played by actor Choi Min-Sik, though the close-ups of painting were done by contemporary Korean artists) at work capture the passion and precision of his painting. The film, as a whole, is passionate, but the main character remains a cipher. Choi has the right look for a brooding peasant-turned-artist-who-makes-his-own-rules. His performance captures the stormy temperament of the artist, but after a strong beginning, the script doesn't give enough insight into why Jang was so emotionally unstable in his later life. The result is a slow-paced, visually sumptuous film that isn't quite as satisfying as it should be. Josh Ralske, Rovi
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