The Bow
(2005/DTS/Tartan/Korea)
Picture:
B- Sound: B- Extras: C Film: B-
When art
films work, they can be amazing and when not, a disaster, then there are those
that fall somewhere in between impressive and unintentionally funny. Kim Ki-Duk’s The Bow (2005) is the kind of film that is both, getting carried
away with its ideas to the point it implodes somewhat by the time all is said
and done. The story is about a young
lady about to become 17 years old and get married, but her eccentric father has
raised her on his fishing boat since she was six and may have some problems
with that.
The tile
item plays music as well as it can shoot arrows, which is something both father
and daughter excels at. It becomes the
latter when two male passengers get too fresh and when their relationship’s
dysfunctional behavior gets wacky. One
way of putting it is that it takes risks not as many pay off as need to for
this to really succeed, but the acting is good (even with limited dialogue) and
I would rather a film try to show heart and soul than stupidity and lack of
ambition. If you are interested, The Bow
is worth a look.
The
anamorphically enhanced 1.85 X 1 image is very clear and colorful, though
detail can still be an issue. Jang
Seung-Baek’s camerawork may remind some of Knife
In The Water or Jaws in the best
way. The Dolby Digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1
mixes are not bad, but the subtle nature of the film simply makes it one that
cannot take advantage of all channels.
The DTS is the preferred track.
Extras include stills, the original theatrical trailer and a making of
featurette.
- Nicholas Sheffo
