Deokhyeongju (2016) Reviews

• Good enough

  pennyelenabooks2016-10-26

  A few movies can handle a subject like this well enough and for this film, it was clear the massage that it wanted to get through, the story of the last princess and what had really had happened to her. The last princess of Korea was forced to leave her family and live in Japan, without being able to return. And the movie focuses on her desperation to manage to go back to her country, a wish that will eventually drive her mad. I don't know if all the events that the movie showed were real, but they were beautifully presented and in a way that didn't confuse the audience. The story itself is quite interesting and you can't help but sympathise with the princess and actually get a little emotional. I believe that's because of the performances that were really good, clean and simple. The actors didn't overplay their roles and they weren't afraid to embody them either. So, 6 out of 10.

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• Another Korean Master piece

  ferdousalamshopnil2016-10-19

  Well, I was not sure that i will like this movie or not. Normally I don't like historical movies. But after watching the trailer I was eager to watch this movie. As usual like every Korean movie "The Last Princess" will take you to a world of thriller for sometimes. And in the ending, you will be emotional. I am really amazed by the making of this movie. I have to admit that the director has shown everything in this movie perfectly. There is no question about Son Ye Jin's acting. Other characters also played their role well.Most Importantly The History has been shown here in a perfect way. You can feel the pain, you can fear, you can cry while watching the movie. In Conclusion, I want to say This movie has fulfilled all of my expectations.

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• The longest 10 minutes of the princess' life!

  Reno-Rangan2017-09-04

  The story that sets in the 1961, but most of the film was a flashback narration that takes us to the 30 years earlier, in the 30s. This is a biographical film of the last Korean princess to be crowned. Though the film clearly briefs her power struggle over the foreign power. The entire tale was told from her perspective as she saw everything. So, it was real, but historical facts were compromised in places with additional characters or events that more cinematised. That's what the film declared at the opening. To be honest, any biopic would be the same. You can't expect a perfect, a flawless portrayal of a person or the event. Since films are just a recreation to spread the truth, whether they are good, bad or nothing important. There are lots of Japanese dialogue as the story required it. I have seen other Korean historical films, especially about freedom fight. In this too, you could see that phase of the history, but in a different angle. The 2 hour long film, most of it was drama, but there are some action sequences too. A little love story, but overwhelmed by the princess' own struggle throughout her adult life. Probably one of most misunderstood person for her actions by her own people. Because they have seen only from their own eyes, not the truth, what their princess had gone through. Sooner or later, the truth always comes out, and that's where the narration draws its curtain. While the Korean is being under the rule of Japan, the 13 year old princess, Deokhye witnesses her father's assassination for his objection over some matter brought by the Japanese officials. Now the grownup princess was forced to go to Japan for her higher studies. But she pledges to return home to her mother and people. That's not what happens, she sees many Koreans trapped in there as the slave workers. Her fight for their freedom becomes her next target, though things take twists and turns, leaving her in the tight spot. The remaining story is to reveal her rest of the life after a long struggle. ❝Never give up until the end. Spring will come again to fields stolen from us.❞ Usually a good Korean film will be recognised well in the international stage. Especially for like this, having a wonderful cast and crew, I did not expect the under-notice. As I have seen it, definitely the film deserves more appreciation. Well, I did not like the film either in the beginning. I thought it was too slow, too long and the events were uninteresting. But the real value of the film came in the later part. Yes, the narration picked up the speed with all the sudden developments. Basically what we would call such film is: a slow start, but concluded strongly. So you have to wait till the end to come to any judgement. One thing I did not mention so far was the emotions. If I'm saying I liked it, that's mainly because of the sentiments. I did not anticipate that, it was like came from nowhere. As I always say, emotions are a big part of Korean films. In that, sometimes I hated for overusing it, though not in this case. Usually a film inspired by real do have such things strongly. The film did not cover any war events, except orally declaring the details for the viewers to get everything happening around. Son Ye-jin is the most familiar face from the Korean films and as usual her execution was amazing in this. She was the right choice to play the title role, along with the director that seems he's back in the action with this like his earlier films. Its nothing lesser than any kings and queens films you had seen from the west. Since it was about a princess, her movements were strictly restricted within the walls. Which was one the reason she had nothing big to accomplish than being a puppet, except when she stepped into the Japan. Her Japan visit changed her approach, despite it was done against her will. So there are many things about the princess that you could learn through this film. Definitely a must see if you like biopics and history. 7/10

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• Achingly Beautiful

  AJ_McAninch2018-09-01

  Stellar cast, direction, writing, and production, this is a fine Korean film. A true story, it is both heartbreaking and beautiful. Highly recommended.

• A Work close to perfection

  pacolopezpersonal-220572017-10-10

  A good movie must have among other qualities, a solid plot, good interpretations, emotion, suspense and if it is not too much to ask, to include the amazing element. This film gather everything together and much more if we add the depicted splendor of the Old Korean court. From this work so close to perfection you should not talk much. The correct rhythm between the present moment and the past contributes to increase the intrigue in the form of thinking the spectator to himself of "How will these grave and serious situations be resolved?" or "How some people survived from the beginning to the end of the story?. Many positive values are shown to us here such as solidarity, companionship, struggle for ideals, courage but on the other hand as well many negatives such as betrayal, fear, personal interest, falsehood, cynicism and violence and worst of it all: the cowardice of selling oneself to the invading government. It is best to watch the movie and draw each one's own conclusions. Only two issues remains unsolved: The first one: What happened to the bad guy? And the second : Unfortunately In fact, the story did not end so well since the political situation of both Koreas only allows the monarchy in the films.

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