I can't believe that this film was low-budget. The cinematography was breathtaking, the costumes were colorful and vibrant (and depicted what each character should be wearing), the acting was superb for the main and minor characters, the skits were hilarious, the dialogue based on the subtitle was poetic and must be more poetic in Korean, and the entire feel of the movie was outstanding. It did not rely on star power or glitzy special effects or well choreographed action sequences. It used an interesting plot, well- rounded characterization even for some of the minor characters, and of course themes and actions that were better left unsaid or implied.
I never liked the in your face style of movie making that many Western directors seem to take to make their point (which some Asian directors seem to follow). For example, I am uncomfortable with homosexual themes and yet the depiction of homosexuality in this film was subtle and it was not the only theme explored in this movie. There didn't have to be sexual scenes to make me think that there must be something between the two jesters. The beauty of this kind of subtlety, though, was the fact that some viewers just thought of the relationship as brotherly or platonic in nature. And because it was so subtle, it could be interpreted as such. Even the deaths of the jesters were subtly portrayed and did not become explicit. I got teary-eyed even though in the end, there were no tears and the characters were shown as happy being together.
And there were humorous parts that came off naturally. The skits were of course funny by themselves, though they were bawdy. But the dialogue among the jesters made me laugh despite the fact they were just talking about what was happening to them in the course of events like not wanting to act the parts of certain characters or why they had to do certain things or why awful things happen after each skit.
The melancholy scenes also tugged at the heart and even though the king was such a tyrant, one couldn't help pity him at some parts.
This will become a classic because of its universal themes and great film making. I have to admit that I am homophobic but the love portrayed between the two jesters (and to me it was not brotherly love) in this film was more romantic than other couples depicted on film with a lot of explicit sex scenes, whether they are homosexuals or otherwise. I wish modern films would use more implied scenarios (off cam situations) instead of using a lot of graphic sex and violence to sell their films. Viewers who have brains won't have an issue understanding the implications unless they love sex and gore.
BRAVO!!!!!
I never liked the in your face style of movie making that many Western directors seem to take to make their point (which some Asian directors seem to follow). For example, I am uncomfortable with homosexual themes and yet the depiction of homosexuality in this film was subtle and it was not the only theme explored in this movie. There didn't have to be sexual scenes to make me think that there must be something between the two jesters. The beauty of this kind of subtlety, though, was the fact that some viewers just thought of the relationship as brotherly or platonic in nature. And because it was so subtle, it could be interpreted as such. Even the deaths of the jesters were subtly portrayed and did not become explicit. I got teary-eyed even though in the end, there were no tears and the characters were shown as happy being together.
And there were humorous parts that came off naturally. The skits were of course funny by themselves, though they were bawdy. But the dialogue among the jesters made me laugh despite the fact they were just talking about what was happening to them in the course of events like not wanting to act the parts of certain characters or why they had to do certain things or why awful things happen after each skit.
The melancholy scenes also tugged at the heart and even though the king was such a tyrant, one couldn't help pity him at some parts.
This will become a classic because of its universal themes and great film making. I have to admit that I am homophobic but the love portrayed between the two jesters (and to me it was not brotherly love) in this film was more romantic than other couples depicted on film with a lot of explicit sex scenes, whether they are homosexuals or otherwise. I wish modern films would use more implied scenarios (off cam situations) instead of using a lot of graphic sex and violence to sell their films. Viewers who have brains won't have an issue understanding the implications unless they love sex and gore.
BRAVO!!!!!