The Servant (2010, Kim Dae-woo)
is a modern take on the Korean pansori folktale of Chunhyang, a story
about star-crossed lovers and how circumstances and predispositions
hinder love. The Servant Kim Dae-woo's take on this classic tale from the perspective of the simple and passionate servant. presents an erotic-drama that is charged with passion as we explore
The Story and Characters
The film begins with Bang-ja (Kim Joo-hyeok)
retelling his story of love and tragedy to an accomplished writer.
Bang-ja is called a gangster by the novelist, a title that he doesn't
object to. Our initial meeting with Bang-ja sparks immediate intrigue as
this phlegmatic character begins to re-tell his enduring tale of love,
loss and commitment.
Having travelled around for most of his
20s, Bang-ja begins his story as the newly appointed personal servant of
Lee Mong-ryong (Ryoo Seung-beom),
an aristocratic scholar on the path to becoming a high-ranking state
inspector. Bang-ja is asked to arrange a meeting for him with the
beautiful Choon-hyang (Jo Yeo-jeong),
a kisaeng's daughter, whose mother has high hopes for her to improve
her social standing through marriage. Both men are captivated by her
beauty and begin efforts to posses her. Mong-ryong openly makes his
advances known and, with great expectation, begins his courtship with
her. Bang-ja, being of significantly lower status, heeds the advice of
Elder Ma (Oh Dal-soo), a freeloading house guest, in pursuing his dream of being Choon-hyang's one and only.
Bang-ja sneaks into Choon-hyang's
bedroom late one night to express his love for her. After some physical
resistance, Choon-hyang submits to his passions knowing that they are
engaging in a taboo and potentially dangerous act. Choon-hyang
acknowledges her feelings for Bang-ja but makes him sign a contract
stating that, despite their love, he will assist her in marrying his
noble master.
Mong-ryong discovers the affair, but
rather than expose the two, he saves face by moving to Seoul to continue
with his own ambitions. Meanwhile, Bang-ja finds himself in a new
household as a servant continuing his passionate affair with
Choon-hyang. He struggles to act according to his station when
Choon-hyang is mistreated and they eventually find themselves at the
mercy of the newly appointed state inspector.
Final Thoughts
The Servant
contains some racy and erotic scenes that proclaim the film's themes of
passion and lust. These scenes are not misplaced in the movie. The film
carries itself well, presenting events with subtle tactfulness through
its generally well-paced narrative. Even though the film's enchantment
dips halfway through (as the characters' roles are recontextualised), it
picks up just in time as events unfold for its tragic yet heart-warming
conclusion. Watching The Servant
was a visual delight. The film's presentation was absorbing as scenes
were meaningfully layered to complement the retrospection of Bang-ja's
emotional zealousness and commitment to love.
-Christopher James Wheeler
*As I was putting together this review I
had a choice between two of the films publicity posters. I decided on
the one that I have because I felt that it best served the film in terms
of the story told. Here are the two side-by-side, which one do you
think is more suited to the film?
Please feel free to comment on this review. Discussions are welcomed.
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