Every relationship reaches a point where the excitement settles into a calmer state. Korean film Time is set at that point, but rather than the two lovers settling into comfort, they’re at odds instead– Ji-woo lets his eye roam for a bit of excitement, while Seh-hee anxiously accuses him for anything. To be honest, these two are seriously crazy. They should probably break up. But while the two push each other to increasingly toxic ends, this surprisingly talky romance drama from 3-Iron’s Kim Ki-duk holds some of his best dialogue, his signature use of symbols, as well as a critical, if a bit out there, examination to how disposable people have started to treat each other, themselves, and the human body in romantic relationships.
Synopsis
Consumed by jealousy, a woman takes an extreme step and undergoes surgery for a new face. Although her lover of 2 years misses her, he falls in love with the new face, not knowing it's the same woman.
Storyline
Two years into her relationship, Seh-hee decides to address her boyfriend Ji-woo’s roving eye by putting herself through extensive plastic surgery.
TLDR
Glad that real life proved that not everyone would go as crazy as these two get… At least for now.
What stands out
Okay, yes, it kinda feels like the female lead is written through a misogynistic lens considering how melodramatic she gets, but really, this choice makes sense, considering how the male lead shows himself to be equally as crazy. They’re both exaggerated caricatures, but if they weren’t, none of the plastic surgery shenanigans that makes the story would happen.
