The Face Reader

The Face Reader turned out to be a mediocre film. Apparently it was well recived in S.Korea and got some awards but it was not really to my taste. Firstly the cinematography was of the cluttered variety that usually turns me off. Secondly it has the S.Korean film chacteristic of starting as a comedy and ending as a melodrama which may have an adverse effect on unsuspecting viewers.
The story is about Prince Suyang's usuring the throne (now I'm familiar with that one due to The Princess' Man - good drama btw) and it is a sad and horrible story in itself. Our protagonist is a face reader who can predict a lot about a person by studying his/her facial features. His family was ruined due to an unfounded treason charge (a frequent reason for noble families losing their statures in Joseon times) and he and his brother in law lives at a remote mountain shack making caligraphy brushes while his intelligent and competent son is living with them, constantly unhappy about their misfortunes and his missed opportunities.
The plot starts with a kibang madam approaching our guy for a face reading contract. And once the boy leaves home without permission to find his own fortunes, he and his brother in law thought this would be a way to get some recognition and help him out one way or another. At first the smart madam makes them sign a contract while they are drunk and once our Guy gets the hang of things he manages to go in employment of the vice premier (who is the main obsticle in Suyang's approach to the throne). Some events later he had so face Suyang and his wrath with terrible consequences.

The eponymous face reader is acted by Song Kang Ho - my favorite S.Korean actor. He is, as usual, excellent in the role and looks the part perfectly. Suyang is acted by another favorite of mine handsome and talented (though not in the level of Mr.Song's) Lee Jung Jae. The son is acted by some plastically enhanced actor who was surprisingly talented (if only his face looked natural) and the stupid brother in law is acted by Jo Jeung Sok who is not a fave of mine and he was obscenely overacting which jarred especially when paired with sublime performance of Song Kang Ho. I seem to remember Jo being a relative of somebody and he is well liked (just not by me).

Another actor I like Baek Yoon Shik has a little role as historically popular Kim Jong So.

Anyhow this is not recommended unless watching Song Kang Ho gives you pleasure (in that regard I was well rewarded).