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Memories of Murder
Palm Pictures


8.4

based on 11 reviews
Read critic reviews
How did we calculate this?

based on 15 votes
Read user comments
Rate this movie

FILM:

The Host

MPAA RATING: Not Rated

Starring Kang-ho Song, Sang-kyung Kim, Roe-ha Kim, Jae-ho Song, Hie-bong Byeon, Seo-hie Ko, No-shik Park, Hae-il Park, and Jong-ryol Choi

Based on a true story, Memories of Murder is a Korean suspense thriller offering an unusual fusion of death and laughter, while recollecting truly nightmarish events. (Palm Pictures)

GENRE(S):	Crime \| Drama \| Foreign \| Mystery \| Suspense/Thriller
WRITTEN BY:	Joon-ho Bong Kwang-rim Kim Sung Bo Shim
DIRECTED BY:	Joon-ho Bong
RELEASE DATE:	DVD: August 9, 2005 Theatrical: June 24, 2005
RUNNING TIME:	129 minutes, Color
ORIGIN:	South Korea
LANGUAGE(S):	Korean (with English subtitles)

Original title "Salinui chueok"

All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...

100

Christian Science Monitor David Sterritt

Suspenseful, surprising, and psychologically rich.

The Onion (A.V. Club) Scott Tobias

It takes enormous skill to pull off such a high-wire act without diminishing the gravity of the situation, but Bong and his first-rate cast are up to the task.

Village Voice Michael Atkinson

It's an altogether remarkable piece of work, deepening the genre while whipping its skin off, satirizing an entire nation's nearsighted apathy as it wonders, almost aloud, about the nature of truth, evidence, and social belonging.

Washington Post Stephen Hunter

What emerges is quite extraordinary.

Variety Derek Elley

A powerful, slow-burning portrait of human fallibility.

Film Threat Mariko McDonald

A haunting score and beautifully atmospheric cinematography by Kim Hyung-gu round out the achievements of this unique and engaging Korean thriller.

The New York Times Manohla Dargis

What distinguishes Memories of Murder, setting it apart from rank-and-file thrillers, is its singular mix of gallows humor and unnerving solemnity.

The Hollywood Reporter Frank Scheck

Uses dark humor, incisive characterizations and social commentary to infuse its familiar detective tale with a distinctive flair.

Washington Post Desson Thomson

As exciting for its narrative twists and turns as for its Korean textures and rhythms.

Austin Chronicle Marc Savlov

Becomes something of a rainswept Korean koan on both the nobility and futility of persistence in the face of obviously insurmountable odds.

Seattle Post-Intelligencer Sean Axmaker

The script is as sloppy as Song's unkempt cop, sprinkled with intriguing ideas and imaginative details that, like the investigation, simply get lost in blind alleys.

The average user rating for this movie is 8.4 (out of 10) based on 15 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.

Bryan gave it a10:
Tremendous!

Eunice gave it a10:
I personally think this movie was better than The Silence of the Lambs as it contains more humour, and way, way better than Seve.

Doctor Evil gave it a10:
Definitely the best Korean movie i've seen. Wow, it was really good. Unbelievable.

Mink-coat Pimp gave it a10:
I was totally blown away by this movie. Every screencap from the movie is frame-worthy and the acting is supurb. The subtle comical tones go a long way in giving the viewer a break from the dismal and tragic undertone of the plot. Never have I been so satisfied with a blind rental, or a foriegn flick for that matter. A word of advice, watch the movie in its original language w/subtitles, because the dubbing is, as always unbearable.

Gregory H. gave it a0:
This thing was practically unwatchable--in fact I couldn't take more than a half hour of it. Dubbed into English and peppered with cutesy tough-guy supposed cop lingo, I wish I could have just watched in in Korean with English Subtitles. The poor dubbing made the characters seem laugable. The dialogue was pure vintage Starsky & Hutch-styled one guy hollering at all the other idiots and jerks, his words not mine. The critics MUST have all watched this film in its original incarnation, because no one in their right mind could heap any praise upon this butchered piece of crap.

KaKa gave it a9:
This was an amzing film! The cinematography and the acting blew me away - not to mention the plot and the story line it was based on. i loved the ending which was totally unexpecting for me - but i think was a wonderful way to end a plot such as this story line. The DVD extras that UMVD provides are decent - I enjoyed hearing what the actors had to say and I didnt expect there to be subtitles either! Bing, teh director, managed to grasp teh main bulk of teh mystery and present it to the general public and world in an unforgettable manner.

Jason B. gave it a10:
Great Film. I thought the greatest part of this film was the realistic emotions that are brought out. The pain these cops go through in the inability to find the killer, and their willingness to do anything (including force confessions) in order to find him, and to feel safe again. I read in another review that he didnt like the ending, I loved it. I thought it was the most honest part. And thats basically what happened in real life, which makes the ending even greater. I also loved the perfectly timed comedy. The use of comedy shows the true talent of Bong Joon Ho. I also loved the dichotomy of it being an Asian film, with many culturally unique aspects, and also being one of the most universal stories and films I have ever seen. There was nothing wrong with this film in my opinion. Definately my favorite film I have seen all year.

Memories of Murder Palm Pictures

Memories of Murder
Palm Pictures