Luck-Key, directed by Gye-beok Lee, is a remake of a Japanese film called Key of Life and tells the tale of two men who switch lives after an accident leaves one man with amnesia and the other with a new lease on life. The film features acting performances from, Hae-jin Yoo, Lee Joon, Yoon-hee Jo, Ji-yeon Lim, Hye-bin Jeon, Dong-hwi Lee.
The Review:
Before watching this movie, the only thing I knew about it was that it was supposed to be a comedy and that it has been leading the Korean box office for a couple weeks so it must be pretty good, right? Little did I know I was about to watch one of the funniest and most delightfully entertaining movies of the year so far. Director Gye-beok Lee hasn't made a film since 2005 which now seems quite tragic given how good this movie is and one can only hope that he doesn't wait another 11 years for his next one. The story really has a lot going on with multiple story lines and characters arcs weaving in and out of each other but it never feels jumbled or messy and the whole thing just moves along quite nicely from beginning to end.
I really can't say enough about the amazing bit of acting turned in by Hae-jin Woo who, with one performance, really plays about four different personalities which is hard to explain without giving away some of the fun surprises that unfold over the course of the movie. What I can tell you is that he is just as adept at portraying the big action hero as he is at flexing his comedic talents and pretty much everything in between. This film is ten times better with him in it than if anyone else had taken on this role. Another highlight among the cast is Yun-hie Jo who plays an ambulance driver who gets drawn in to the story by Hae-jin Woo's character and becomes a source of strength and stability for all the chaos and mayhem that is swirling around them.
The Verdict:
Luck-Key is a great movie. It is a funny, action packed, crime thriller, love story that has a big heart and you will really come to enjoy each of the four main characters in their own way. This isn't just one of my favorite Korean films, it would have to be one of my favorite films overall that I've seen this year. As I am writing this, the movie is being featured here in the states during a limited release so check your local listings and, if it's playing near you, please go see it.
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