Jungdok (2002) Addicted

Directed by Young-hoon Park

Starring Byung-hun Lee, Mi-yeon Lee, Eol Lee

Yet another Asian film thats getting an American remake, this time though (unlike everything from Ringu through Oldboy to Shall we Dansu) there shouldnt be any reason to change the story in the slightest way. This film could easily translate to almost any culture as there is nothing specifically Asian about it.

As with Happy End you wont understand the meaning of the title till the end of the film but unlike that you wont have to think about how the title applies. Ho-jin and Dae-jin are brothers, theyre very close despite the fact that theyre very different from each other. Ho-jin, an artist is married to Eun-su, after three years they still send each other love letters and are very happy together. Dae-jin has just completed his national service is single and his addiction appears to be speed, he races cars for a living, they live in the same house and get along really well.

Tragedy strikes both at the same time though, Ho-jin is involved in a car crash that puts him in a coma and Dae-jin suffers a similar fate during a race. Dae-jin pulls out of his coma but starts acting strange, instead of showing interest in cars he suddenly starts creating artworks and furniture just as his brother used to, he claims to be his brother confusing poor Eun-su. The rest of the film is spent trying to work out the truth, has Dae-jin gone mad or is he genuinely possessed by his brothers soul?

Towards the end I was wondering if this would get a Hollywood style finish, Im glad to say the saving grace of the film is that it didnt. It is fairly slow paced and a lot of the acting is performed through the eyes which works very well. Not a must see film by any means but a tragic romantic drama that is well constructed with good acting. Addicted is one film that is likely to appeal to both men and women equally which is a rarity these days.

Cheers Trev.

BBFC rated 15.