27.8.08
My Sassy Girl (2008)
Labels: Movies 1 comments
I love Yeopgijeogin Geunyeo aka My Sassy Girl. Nuff said. Or go to this link to read what I thought of the movie about 3 years ago. Because of this movie, I got used to watching melodramas, etc. and became a fan of Jeon Ji Hyun. I even watched the Tagalized version of this movie.
Okay, so I was excited about the Hollywood remake when the news came out. Although most people hated the thought of a Hollywood remake, I was interested to see what they would do with the story. When the news came out that Yann Samuell, the director of French classic Jeux d'enfants aka Love Me if You Dare, was directing it, I was even more excited. However, I got frustrated when the film's premiere got pushed and pushed back, and I was even frustrated when it was released direct to video in the US.. oh wait, I was ecstatic, coz I can watch it earlier in the Philippines via video. *sigh* I missed its theatrical release here.
So I got to watch the movie yesterday, and I'll be informal in my review.Okay, the opening seconds of the film, well, minutes, is a clear sign of the Yann Samuell direction. Just look at the colors! And the atmosphere! Lots more "Samuell-isms" can be found in the movie, such as playing with the speed of the scene and breaking the 4th wall (both of which, coincidentally, are also employed in the original). However, the colors of the movie definitely separate it from the original.
Okay, the characters. Charlie Bellow, the male protagonist, is Midwestern. He came to New York to pursue his parents' dreams for him, to become a topshot in a business company of sorts. He is shy, kind, romantic and idealistic. Jordan Roark, the girl he meets, is not good at holding her alcohol, rude, minds other people's businesses, and bossy. The main characteristics of the two protagonists do not differ much from the original, but Jesse Bradford and Elisha Cuthbert portrayed these characteristics differently. Their chemistry? Unfortunately, I only first noticed it in the face-slapping-subway-game scene. It quite builds up towards the end of the movie.
The addition of several characters, such as Charlie's player bestfriend Leo and the butler who picks up Jordan after Charlie brings her to her home, seemed unnecessary and bordering on annoying. They are totally one-sided and hog your unwanted attention at several points in the film.
I'll compare the original actors' "attacks" on their roles with those of the two Hollywood actors: Jesse Bradford was a smarter version of Cha Tae Hyun's original character, who was quite happy-go-lucky and refuses to study well. In the original, Jeon Ji Hyun's portrayal of The Unnamed Girl was subtle but randomly violent. The Girl was demure at most times, with random crazy moments. The Girl did not like flirting, and was kinda the traditional conservative Asian girl. Elisha Cuthbert's Jordan Roark is the classy, flirty rich girl who gets what she wants and gets away with it.
The story. Ah, the most important part. The remade story seemed kind of rush. It was unique in itself, but comparing it to the original, it's lamer by a mile. The remake tries hard to recreate or at least reference the scenes in the original, but it fails in many parts. For example, the exchanging shoes part seemed too short, considering its importance in the story. Also, the "can you hear me from there" part, which was originally set in the mountains, was re-set into a long alleyway, WITH PEOPLE AROUND! This lessened the scene's emotional impact for me. The "remade scenes" should be seen as themselves. Otherwise, you'll end up comparing it to the original.
Other additions to the story, such as the extended "announcement" of The Girl on the subway and the bad job interview, seemed unnecessary. Sometimes the shorter dialogues are more effective.
Am I writing too much here? Let's cut to the chase.
Despite the many flaws of the remake (most of which may take too long to write), the essence of the excellent based-on-real-life story still shone through. The love and longing and the jitters of a starting relationship are all there. I'll admit it, I teared up because of one scene. Okay, you'll have to watch it for yourself.
The movie is an inferior remake of the original but it can surely stand on its own as a good romantic comedy film.
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Okay, so I was excited about the Hollywood remake when the news came out. Although most people hated the thought of a Hollywood remake, I was interested to see what they would do with the story. When the news came out that Yann Samuell, the director of French classic Jeux d'enfants aka Love Me if You Dare, was directing it, I was even more excited. However, I got frustrated when the film's premiere got pushed and pushed back, and I was even frustrated when it was released direct to video in the US.. oh wait, I was ecstatic, coz I can watch it earlier in the Philippines via video. *sigh* I missed its theatrical release here.
So I got to watch the movie yesterday, and I'll be informal in my review.Okay, the opening seconds of the film, well, minutes, is a clear sign of the Yann Samuell direction. Just look at the colors! And the atmosphere! Lots more "Samuell-isms" can be found in the movie, such as playing with the speed of the scene and breaking the 4th wall (both of which, coincidentally, are also employed in the original). However, the colors of the movie definitely separate it from the original.
Okay, the characters. Charlie Bellow, the male protagonist, is Midwestern. He came to New York to pursue his parents' dreams for him, to become a topshot in a business company of sorts. He is shy, kind, romantic and idealistic. Jordan Roark, the girl he meets, is not good at holding her alcohol, rude, minds other people's businesses, and bossy. The main characteristics of the two protagonists do not differ much from the original, but Jesse Bradford and Elisha Cuthbert portrayed these characteristics differently. Their chemistry? Unfortunately, I only first noticed it in the face-slapping-subway-game scene. It quite builds up towards the end of the movie.
The addition of several characters, such as Charlie's player bestfriend Leo and the butler who picks up Jordan after Charlie brings her to her home, seemed unnecessary and bordering on annoying. They are totally one-sided and hog your unwanted attention at several points in the film.
I'll compare the original actors' "attacks" on their roles with those of the two Hollywood actors: Jesse Bradford was a smarter version of Cha Tae Hyun's original character, who was quite happy-go-lucky and refuses to study well. In the original, Jeon Ji Hyun's portrayal of The Unnamed Girl was subtle but randomly violent. The Girl was demure at most times, with random crazy moments. The Girl did not like flirting, and was kinda the traditional conservative Asian girl. Elisha Cuthbert's Jordan Roark is the classy, flirty rich girl who gets what she wants and gets away with it.
The story. Ah, the most important part. The remade story seemed kind of rush. It was unique in itself, but comparing it to the original, it's lamer by a mile. The remake tries hard to recreate or at least reference the scenes in the original, but it fails in many parts. For example, the exchanging shoes part seemed too short, considering its importance in the story. Also, the "can you hear me from there" part, which was originally set in the mountains, was re-set into a long alleyway, WITH PEOPLE AROUND! This lessened the scene's emotional impact for me. The "remade scenes" should be seen as themselves. Otherwise, you'll end up comparing it to the original.
Other additions to the story, such as the extended "announcement" of The Girl on the subway and the bad job interview, seemed unnecessary. Sometimes the shorter dialogues are more effective.
Am I writing too much here? Let's cut to the chase.
Despite the many flaws of the remake (most of which may take too long to write), the essence of the excellent based-on-real-life story still shone through. The love and longing and the jitters of a starting relationship are all there. I'll admit it, I teared up because of one scene. Okay, you'll have to watch it for yourself.
The movie is an inferior remake of the original but it can surely stand on its own as a good romantic comedy film.
August 30, 2008 at 5:30:00 PM GMT+8
I haven watch the new version. But, I would say that the original will be always be the classic, My Sassy Girl!!! RockS@!