Crying Fist

Running alongside each other till the end are two stories of two men, one young, one middleaged, both at a low point in their lives.
Crying Fist - which is called Jumeogi unda if you're looking for it on imdb which seems to have no English title available - is from the director of Arahan, Seung-Wan Ryu, and again starring his younger brother although you'd hardly know its the same lad.

It's one of those rare films that pull you all ways, thus messing up your head if your urge was for a 'good guy bad guy' film. Boxing is the sport here, and it is pretty graphic so if you're a hater of boxing, it just wouldn't be worth your while going any further. Let me tell you though that if you expected an underdog comes good Rocky-stylee, then this is film is a total subversion.

Both leading men are brilliant here - Choi Min-Sik as the old lion Kang Tae-sik - silver medallist at the Asian games 1990, who is now reduced to a street fist fighter taking payment from all comers as a stress reliever. Young scally petty criminal Yoo Sang-Hwan (Ryu Seung-beom ) is the bane of his hard working father's life. Both men find hope in boxing - Tae-Sik renews his enthusiasm and Sang-Hwan is virtually forced into the sport by circumstances.

This film delivers a whole emotional blast - besides the beautifully rounded characters of the two leads, you have the minor figures given enough shorthand background hints for you to know exactly where they're coming from.

Ali said "There are no pleasures in a fight but some of my fights have been a pleasure to win" - see this film and you'll know it can work both ways

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CategoryFilm