The Uninvited is a frustrating film because it has a lot going for it, including a great premise, beautiful production values, a great eye for picture and even capable actors. The problem is that, like many of the weaker Corean films, the script itself suffers from a bit of a convoluted, misdirected and sometimes pointless story. Not to say that there aren't good ideas and even characters in the story, but the story itself is weak because it doesn't really follow a meaningful trajectory and sometimes seems to double back on itself.
Nonetheless, there's a lot that's positive about the film. The Uninvited has tremendous power in the way that it creates its atmosphere. There is clearly a sense of uneasiness and brooding even without the supernatural elements. The art, set and production design is often excellent in both being art, but also seeming to fit right into the reality of the setting. The director and director of photography together have an amazing eye for lighting as well as camera direction and some of the mis-en-scene reveals are quite potent.
Also, I was impressed by the actors; the protagonist, played by Park Shin-Yang, who I'd only seen before in a gangster versus monk comedy, surprisingly carries his everyman suffering with visions aptly and Gianna Jun (Jun Ji-Hyun) plays surprisingly well the quiet and depressed psychic well. All the side players cover their roles well too.
The story itself does have a lot going for it. Dealing with past trauma as well as the effect of knowing terrible truths. Unfortunately, the inability to focus on the characters and their decisions, the sometimes contrived and unexplained ways to introduce problems, and the lack of narrative or emotional resolution cause it to be quite a frustrating view in the end.
I can't recommend The Uninvited, but if you don't necessarily need a strong story and want to witness a rather striking work that explores the above-mentioned theme while gathering a rather impressive atmosphere, you could check this out. Passable on those merits, but not choice viewing due to a weak story. There needs to be a stronger division of labor in Corea--good directors that are weak writers need to be paired with stronger writers. 6/10.
Nonetheless, there's a lot that's positive about the film. The Uninvited has tremendous power in the way that it creates its atmosphere. There is clearly a sense of uneasiness and brooding even without the supernatural elements. The art, set and production design is often excellent in both being art, but also seeming to fit right into the reality of the setting. The director and director of photography together have an amazing eye for lighting as well as camera direction and some of the mis-en-scene reveals are quite potent.
Also, I was impressed by the actors; the protagonist, played by Park Shin-Yang, who I'd only seen before in a gangster versus monk comedy, surprisingly carries his everyman suffering with visions aptly and Gianna Jun (Jun Ji-Hyun) plays surprisingly well the quiet and depressed psychic well. All the side players cover their roles well too.
The story itself does have a lot going for it. Dealing with past trauma as well as the effect of knowing terrible truths. Unfortunately, the inability to focus on the characters and their decisions, the sometimes contrived and unexplained ways to introduce problems, and the lack of narrative or emotional resolution cause it to be quite a frustrating view in the end.
I can't recommend The Uninvited, but if you don't necessarily need a strong story and want to witness a rather striking work that explores the above-mentioned theme while gathering a rather impressive atmosphere, you could check this out. Passable on those merits, but not choice viewing due to a weak story. There needs to be a stronger division of labor in Corea--good directors that are weak writers need to be paired with stronger writers. 6/10.