Sarita Rafferty
There are moments that feel comical, some horrific, and some downright inspiring but the tonal shifts hardly matter as the end results come to a film that's perfect for this time.
Miranda345
I absolutely adore the version directed by Stephen Frears (starring Malkovich and Glose) so i was very interested what Koreans had made out of it. Korean films that I have seen that far are very interesting, they have quite a different approach then Western movie makers.I think it was a good and intense film and the historical Korean scenery added a lot. Still, I think that Frears'is film is way stronger. The only acting work that stood out stronger then Frears'is characters, was the lady who played the virtous Madam Sook (Michelle Pfeiffer's character in Frears'is version). This was an incredibly strong performance and I liked it more then Pfeffer's approach.As to the others they slightly lacked detail and depth. Overall, the Korean protagonists were no match to John Malkovich and Glenn Close. And the whole lot of other characters, both men and women, looked and acted in such a similar way that it took me some time to distinct them from each other.However, the film was still very interesting to watch and all this historical Korean world was beautifully shot. The film got better at the end and when the bad guy changed it was really moving and believable. Specially the last scene with him on the beach. I also very much liked the scene between him and Madam Sook in the library.
Atavisten
Moving this story from the French aristocracy to the Korean during Chosen dynasty when everyone held up a mask of decency in daytime and let it fall together with the hanbok at night was quite the trick to re-liven this story. Everything is done so well from the flow to the brilliant actresses/actors. Most notably is Lee Mi-suk as the sly older cousin/fox. The backdrop of Korean castles is quite fitting, and as they sneak around at night like teenagers we sit on the edge of the seat hoping they wouldn't get caught. The charm of "Jeon-sama" is lost on me, but I know it wouldn't be for hordes of "women in their best age". So if you're one of those, catch it!! Must be a big hit in all of East-Asia now.
pvn9
This is a fantastic movie, well worth your time. It was fast paced and seldom boring. Much better than the original French version or the English (Dangerous Liaisons) version. Korea was amazingly portrayed. All the props were just gorgeous. Women were beautiful and sensuous. All the scenes (including the few sex scenes it has) were very tastefully done... Great movie to watch... There seem to be several spin offs for the original French version (don't remember the name)like Cruel intentions and what not. But this is by far the best adaptation of the original. This movie has something for everyone. Drama, Romance, Intrigue, Sex (no much action though)!!!
Harry T. Yung
SpoilersNo, this has nothing to do with alcoholism. As well, movies with sweating, panting sex scenes are a dime a dozen. The accent here is aristocracy. The party in a tireless pursuit of amorous encounter here is as much of an artist as Diego Rivera is (remember the chap in Frida who is "physiologically incapable of fidelity"). More than that, he is a nobleman, one Jo-wan (Bae Yong-Jun), accomplished in not only painting, but also poetry, calligraphy and martial arts. And, for good measure, he paints scene of his own licentious encounters.Untold Scandal is yet another adaptation of 18th century classic Les Liaisons Dangereuses, better known to moviegoers as Dangerous Liaison (1988). The scene, however, is transported to feudal Korea. The main story line is Jo-wan's bet with his cousin Lady Cho (Lee Mi-sook) that he can seduce virgin widow Lady Suk (Jeon Do-yeon). Along the way, we are privy to Jo-wan's other exploits, including his painting model, Lady Suk's maid, and an adolescent concubine-to-be So-ok. In the last case, Lady Cho also got her prey in So-ok's young admirer, through a wicked conspiracy she and Jo-wan executed over the innocent young couple.So much for the pleasure of the flesh. The light, comic tone turns dark when a measure of affection develops between Jo-wan and Lady Suk, ending in a fatalistic tragedy.Comparison with Dangerous Liaison seems inevitable. Both Li Mi-sook and Glenn Close gave an excellent portrayal of this intelligent, cultured, completely bored and thoroughly wicked high-born lady. In Dangerous Liaison, the woman's brilliant performance is perfectly matched by the man's, in John Malkovich's cunningly charming nobleman. In Untold Scandal, however, Bae Yong-Jun, despite his immense popularity in Korean soup operas, is coming short. His Clerk Gable style charm and wit are rather superficial, rendering the successful seduction of this immovable lady rather unconvincing.
With the character of Lady Suk, it's yet another story. Michelle Pfeiffer and Jeon Do-yeon both did a marvellous job, but it's not meaningful to compare them because their style is so different. Here I'd rather concentrate on Jeon Do-yeon, who must be considered one of the best actresses in Korea today. To fully appreciate her brilliant versatility, one has to see both the shy, innocent, lonely girl yearning for love in Cheob-sok (1997) and the scheming, reckless adulteress in Happy End (1999). Those who consider her lovemaking scene in Untold Scandal daring (for a Korean movie) should see the first ten minutes of Happy End for an eye-opener.The story of Untold Scandal is told in a simple manner, with conspicuous, frequent use of voice off. Art direction and cinematography are the forte of this movie. At the close range, we see a meticulously detailed shot of a serving tray with a sumptuous Korean meal served in some thirty bowls and dishes. A similar shot, but on a different subject matter, is the make-up tray for the high lady. In the medium range, the colourful Korean consumes and architecture become the star. Finally, there are breathtaking views of sea and snowfield that accentuate the poignancy towards the end.
