Ha Jung-woo's Riveting Action in 'Broken' Draws Attention, But Leaves Questions Unanswered
Jan 24, 2025
Updated Jan 24, 2025
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Ha Jung-woo's Riveting Action in 'Broken' Draws Attention, But Leaves Questions Unanswered
Ha Jung-woo's intense action scenes in the film 'Broken' (directed by Kim Jin-hwang) are noteworthy, reminiscent of Choi Min-sik's hammer action in 'Oldboy'. However, the film's theme is neither clear nor simple. While it offers thought-provoking elements, it falls short as a commercial film.
Min-tae (played by Ha Jung-woo), once the ace of the crime organization Changmo-pa, now leads a normal life. His only relative, Seok-tae (played by Park Jong-hwan), is found dead. The prime suspect and the only person who knows the truth, Seok-tae's girlfriend Moon-young (played by Yoo Da-in), disappears. As Min-tae searches for clues, he meets novelist Ho-ryeong (played by Kim Nam-gil), who is also pursuing Moon-young. Min-tae discovers that Ho-ryeong's bestseller 'Night Walk' predicted his brother's death. Amidst the tangled truths, Min-tae continues his pursuit to uncover the truth of the night his brother died.
Ha Jung-woo's Riveting Action in 'Broken' Draws Attention, But Leaves Questions Unanswered
True to its title, 'Broken' features explosive action. Armed with a steel pipe, Ha Jung-woo destroys everything in his path. The scene where he walks down a long alley, taking down gang members one by one, is reminiscent of Choi Min-sik's hammer action in 'Oldboy'. The car chase scene in the latter part of the film, captured with urgent angles, further immerses the audience.
The chemistry between Ha Jung-woo and Kim Nam-gil, reuniting after 'The Closet' (2020), is also noteworthy. Kim Nam-gil's scholarly demeanor and Ha Jung-woo's wild gaze as a former crime organization member add to the film's appeal. Supporting roles by Jung Man-sik as the gang boss Changmo, Lim Sung-jae as the ally Byeong-gyu, and Yoo Da-in as the missing brother's wife Moon-young add depth to the film. Yoo Da-in, in particular, drives the film's narrative with minimal dialogue, relying on her actions and expressions.
Ha Jung-woo's Riveting Action in 'Broken' Draws Attention, But Leaves Questions Unanswered
Ha Jung-woo's Riveting Action in 'Broken' Draws Attention, But Leaves Questions Unanswered
Ha Jung-woo's Riveting Action in 'Broken' Draws Attention, But Leaves Questions Unanswered
Perhaps due to director Kim Jin-hwang's first foray into commercial cinema, the film lacks a compelling rationale and clear message. While Min-tae is enraged by his brother's unjust death, his actions are illegal and antisocial. The deceased Seok-tae is not portrayed as a good person either. The ambiguity between good and evil offers food for thought but lacks persuasive power. The overall narrative leans more towards personal revenge than a moral tale of good versus evil, leaving the film's message somewhat unclear.
'Broken' is a film that can be enjoyed with a light heart if one focuses on the action. Those who appreciate diverse interpretations may find it more intriguing. The film is set to release on February 5th.