The showdown

This is a slick, well done little movie that is simple in scale yet massive in scope. The premise is very basic: Two high ranking officers, both lifelong friends, barely escape with their lives from a battle in Manchuria during a fierce blizzard. They take refuge in an abandoned inn where they discover a deserter from their company (played by the ever entertaining Chang-Seok Ko) hiding out and planning to return to Joseon when the snow lifts. Three men stuck in a room together. Like I said, a very simple scenario. But as the past comes into play and secrets come to light, the entire drama of the human condition begins to play out in this little microcosm. Friendship, honor, betrayal, jealousy, bravery, cowardice, clan warfare, class warfare, nationalism, loyalty and revenge all come crashing down into this little space and force things into a showdown between all involved. As with most good Korean films, this is not a clear cut "good guy/bad guy everything wraps up in a storybook ending" kind of a film. It is tightly written and well directed movie by the guy who wrote I Saw the Devil, New World and Tiger: An Old Hunter's Tale. It is fun and engaging and tough to watch all at the same time. I'm surprised it hasn't gotten more recognition.