Film Review: THE AGE OF SHADOWS (South Korea 2016) ***1/2

THE AGE OF SHADOWS (South Korea 2016) ***1/2
Directed by Kim Jee Woon

Starring: Byung-hun Lee, Yoo Gong, Kang-ho Song

Review by Gilbert Seah

THE AGE OF SHADOWS (original title SECRET AGENT) marks the second hugely successful patriotic South Korean film released this summer. The first OPERATION CHROMITE was far too serious failing to convince audiences with its plausible plot despite having Liam Neeson as General McArthur in the cast. THE AGE OF SHADOWS is a much better film because it improves in the credibility department.

Asian patriotic films are often a problem with western audiences. For one, westerners are unfamiliar with Asian history such as the Japanese/South Korean conflict in this film. Asian patriotic films are often confusing. This one is a little at the start, and runs a little too long (2 hours and 20 minutes) for its own good.

THE AGE OF SHADOWS thankfully, contains lots of intrigue, like the best of spy movies. The beginning segment has an exciting chase amidst rooftops that ends dramatically with the victim’s big toe being taken off.

If one wishes to complain that audiences may be aloof at the film’s historical content, there is a full torture scene with a red hot iron that will will make anyone wince.

A crucial portion of the plot involves Captain Lee (Song Kang Ho from THE HOST), initially a spy for the Japanese switching to the Korean side. A fair amount of screen time is devoted to this important subplot. Captain Lee is shown with the Resistance Leader drinking a whole barrel of liquor before taken night fishing. Important words are exchanged: “You can’t trust words; you can only trust in deeds…..To which side (country) will you write your history?… etc,” do the trick efficiently.

As for espionage suspense, the train sequence is one of the best that even Hitchcock will be proud off. The Resistance fighters are on board carrying the explosives, followed by the Japanese and Captain Lee who has jet switched sides with the Resistance. As the Resistance changes plans, the new plans are immediately known as there is a rat among them. Included is a standoff that ends with a shoot out in the train carriages with the wind blowing right through the train’s broken windows.

One problem this film might incur is its inherent racism. Besides the Koreans played as good looking (the men) and pretty (the women), the Japanese are portrayed as evil and creepy. The torture segment would be deemed too effective that it might incur more hatred by the Koreans towards the Japanese.

Of all the actors, supporting actor Tae-Goo Um stands out as the super creepy (complete with pencil-thin moustache, crooked nose and over high cheek bones) Japanese agent ordered to bring in the Resistance. His tongue-in-cheek performance perfectly compliments Song’s seriousness as Captain Lee.

The film also benefits from an authentic period atmosphere together with costumes and vintage cars, trains and other props. The landscape of the Korean countryside also adds to the film’s rugged beauty.

THE AGE OF SHADOWS emerges as a film several notches up from OPERATION CHROMITE. Despite a non-white cast, the film should appeal more to western audiences as well.

Trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iII68QCGEDo