No Comment

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"Each of the three stories had a completely different feel... but were each quirky in their own way."

- Equinox21


No Comment (2002)

AKA: No Comment Family

Director: Park Sang-Won, Park Kwang-Hyun, Lee Hyun-Jong

Cast: Jeong Jae-Yeong, Shin Ha-Gyun, Ryu Seung-Beom, Im Won-Hee, Kim Il-Woong, Park Sun-Young

Running Time: 127 min.

Plot: Three short films ("Enemies Within The Four Rooms", "My Nike", and "Church Sister") by three directors (Park Sang Won, Park Kwang Hyun, Lee Hyun Jong).

Availability: This title is available at HKflix.com

Reviews

EQUINOX21'S REVIEW: What a crazy, great movie! It's difficult to explain, because it had elements of every possible film type in it, comedy, action, melodrama, etc. This film is comprised of 3 COMPLETELY different half-hour shorts, each made by a different Korean director, utilizing the same bunch of actors/actresses. They have nothing in common, save for the cast.

The first story, titled "The Logers" [sic], is about the crazy goings-on of the guests on the 8th floor of a hotel. In room 810 is a guy (Jeong Jae-yeong [Guns & Talks, No Blood No Tears]) trying to get rid of his girlfriend's body by burning it, but he runs into one problem after another. Room 813 has a guy (Shin Ha-kyun [Guns & Talks, JSA, Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance]) who is about to have an affair with a woman whose husband is waiting with a police officer outside the door, in order to charge in and catch them in the act. And in room 801 (NOT to be confused with room 810!) is a gang whose boss has been wounded and is recuperating in the room. Then we have the poor hotel front desk worker (Ryu Seung-beom) who has to cater to everyone's needs and demands. There are many funny moments in this first part, including the slow motion Matrix-like knife/screwdriver fight near the end. The acting is terrific in The Logers, especially from the gang members, who are completely ineffectual, but truly hilarious! Plus, listen for the Dragnet theme music, which adds a humorous touch.

The second story is titled "Fourteen Years Old", and takes place sometime in the late 80's (sometime shortly after Carl Lewis won Gold in the Seoul Olympics). The story follows a kid whose simple dream is to own a pair of Nike shoes. His family members also have dreams of their own. His Father wants to own his own Taxicab and his mother wants to be the wife of a Taxicab owner. His oldest brother wants to be number 1 in his class, and spends all his free time studying, and his older brother seems to want to be at the top as well, only by fighting, and his sister only wants to be pretty. The last member of the family is his grandmother, whose only dream is to finally die. So, he decides to start saving up money for a pair of Nike's, only to have circumstances get in the way. His desire for Nike's only gets stronger every time he sees a kid in his class who already owns a pair of the coveted shoes. The resolution of this story is just terrific (and funny). The moral being that if something is out of reach, make due with what you have at hand. Listen for the E.T. theme music, complete with flying bicycles silhouetted against a full moon.

The third story, titled "Last Confession", was essentially a melodrama, until the very end. It is the story of a guy in the military, home on his first leave of absence. He meets up with an old female grade-school friend who has recently gotten married. He tries not to let on that he's sad about that fact, as he's always had a crush on her. They spend the day together, reminiscing about old times and just enjoying their friendship. Like any good Korean melodrama, he doesn't let her know about his deep love for her until he's on the train to go back on duty, when he spills his heart out. Of course, this situation gets resolved as well, and in seriously funny fashion. This was my least favorite of the three stories until the resolution, which made it just as good as the first two. In Last Confession keep an eye out for throwbacks to the first two stories, like the Nike ad on the side of the bus and his PO Box number (801, not 810).

No Comment was thoroughly enjoyable all the way through. Each of the three stories had a completely different feel, as they were directed by different people, but were each quirky in their own way. I don't know how to classify this movie, but I'd have to call it essentially a comedy. The acting was superb all around, and the music was appropriate and quirky where needed. You won't be disappointed with this one!

EQUINOX21'S RATING: 9/10