A Bittersweet Life (2005)

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Director: Jee-woon Kim

Writers: Jee-woon Kim, based on a character by Dong-Cheol Kim

Stars: Lee Byung-hun, Kim Yeong-cheol, Shin Min-ah, Hwang Jung-min, Roe-ha Kim, Hae-gon Kim, Eric Moon, Dal-su Oh, Lee Ki-young



Kim-Sun-woo (Lee Byung-hun), a high-ranking mob enforcer, runs afoul of his boss (Kim Yeong-cheol) when he chooses not to carry out his instructions to kill the boss’s much younger girlfriend (Shin Min-ah) after learning that she is seeing another man.

 


Lee delivers a powerful performance as a competent, controlled man who emotes very little even in high-stress, violent situations.

 


This makes him the ultimate badass, but it also seems like it could be a trauma response to the things he has both witnessed and participated in. 



At any rate, he appears to lead a very barren and lonely life. 



This one act of mercy, this single crack in his armor, leads his boss to disregard years of loyal service, and Kim becomes a man on the run, increasingly desperate and outraged as the film progresses. 



There are some magnificent action sequences.

 


One of the highlights involves the protagonist’s dealings with some criminals in order to obtain a gun; it is both suspenseful and laugh-out-loud funny. 



The final sequence is perfect, with an image that makes it clear why Kim was willing to make a choice that risked everything.

 

Spoiler alert!!! Final scene!!











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