I can't believe anyone would consider this a good film. The plot essentially suggests that human trafficking is really a negotiable proposition for young women, and once one gets over a rough patch or two, criminal bondage can even lead to companionship and love. How utterly preposterous, as well as demeaning to victims of human trafficking around the world! The lead character is viciously violent, but the director wants us to know he's also kinda "cool", and that under his monstrous violence, (largely directed at women), there's really a heart of gold.
There are many ludicrous Asian films which want viewers to believe that there is something good inside every serial criminal, an idea that Scosese thankfully disabused film noir fans of in Goodfellows. Male bonding is a common theme in Korean gangster films, but this movie eschews that route and tries to make the viewers believe love is possible between a violent sociopath and a young virgin female who has been forced by him into prostitution. It is neither believable nor alluring, save for the prurient interest to voyeurs.
There are many ludicrous Asian films which want viewers to believe that there is something good inside every serial criminal, an idea that Scosese thankfully disabused film noir fans of in Goodfellows. Male bonding is a common theme in Korean gangster films, but this movie eschews that route and tries to make the viewers believe love is possible between a violent sociopath and a young virgin female who has been forced by him into prostitution. It is neither believable nor alluring, save for the prurient interest to voyeurs.