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Movies / On DVD / Memories of Murder
Memories of Murder

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Memories of Murder (2003)

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Reviews Counted:9

Fresh:9

Rotten:0

Average Rating:7.9/10

Consensus: Memories of Murder blends the familiar crime genre with social satire and comedy, capturing the all-too human desperation of its key characters.

Rated: Not Rated

Runtime: 2 hrs 7 mins

Genre: Dramas

Theatrical Release:Jul 15, 2005 Limited

Synopsis: Based on a true story, Memories of Murder is a Korean suspense thriller offering an unusual fusion of death and laughter, while recollecting truly nightmarish events. This is a true story. In... Based on a true story, Memories of Murder is a Korean suspense thriller offering an unusual fusion of death and laughter, while recollecting truly nightmarish events. This is a true story. In a small town outside Seoul, over the course of six years, 10 women were raped and murdered in a 2km radius. Korean society's first serial killer took the lives of 10 victims, ranging from a 71 year-old grandmother to a 13 year old schoolgirl. As time went on, the methods of the killer grew more bold and well-planned. One victim was stabbed 19 times in the chest, while another victim was found with nine pieces of a peach embedded inside her. Other than the victims, the killer left not a single shred of evidence. Over 3,000 suspects were interrogated. At least 300,000 police took part in the massive investigation. But not a single person was indicted for the crimes. This is a story about the detectives. At a time in Korea when a murder investigation only meant grilling those who knew the victim, for these officers everything was a new experience. There was no profiling mechanism, nor any idea of preserving the crime scene for forensic investigation. Only search and interrogation based on the detectives' sense of duty and persistence. In this age of ignorance, two detectives at the bottom of an ill-supported police force, have only themselves to rely on to face this horrific series of events. The film reminisces about a time of innocence when the inability to comprehend such heinous acts led to unbelievable mishaps and harrowing nightmares. Both death and laughter infuse the "Memory of Murder." -- © Palm Pictures [More]

Director: Oh Bong-Joon

Director: Oh Bong-Joon
Studio: Palm Pictures

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Release:

Aug 9, 2005

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Reviews for Memories of Murder

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1 - 9 (sorted by date)
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What's singular in all this is the director's angle into the material, which is subtle, difficult to pin down, elusive.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
07/29/05
Stephen Hunter
Stephen Hunter
Washington Post
Top Critic Icon Top Critic

An involving and skillfully mounted film from Korean filmmaker Bong Joon-Ho that's based on a true story.

Full Review Source: Washington Post | comment Comment
07/28/05
Desson Thomson
Desson Thomson
Washington Post
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Bong not only has an eye for beauty there are some gorgeous shots of the country's farmland but for the absurd.

Full Review Source: Newark Star-Ledger | comment Comment
07/21/05
Stephen Whitty
Stephen Whitty
Newark Star-Ledger
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Uses dark humor, incisive characterizations and social commentary to infuse its familiar detective tale with a distinctive flair.

Full Review Source: Hollywood Reporter | comment Comment
07/21/05
Frank Scheck
Frank Scheck
Hollywood Reporter
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Memories of Murder is such a taut, effective thriller it's a shame you have to read subtitles to gauge just how good a movie it is.

Full Review Source: New York Times | comment Comment
07/15/05
Manohla Dargis
Manohla Dargis
New York Times
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Establishes Bong as a helmer with a distinct vision of his own, supported by a strong cast that's totally at one with the material.

Full Review Source: Variety | comment Comment
06/23/05
Derek Elley
Derek Elley
Variety
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An almost perversely conceived hybrid -- noirish thriller, social satire and virtual Korean Keystone Komedy with a dash of political attitude.

Full Review Source: Newsday | comment Comment
06/23/05
John Anderson
John Anderson
Newsday
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The film's storytelling strategy is unique and its point-of-view mutable and disarmingly subjective.

Full Review Source: Village Voice | comment Comment
06/21/05
Michael Atkinson
Michael Atkinson
Village Voice
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What's most remarkable about it is the way Bong builds real suspense and plays the chilling moments straight while leaving himself room for nonsense and horseplay.

Full Review Source: Boston Globe | comment Comment
04/15/05
Wesley Morris
Wesley Morris
Boston Globe
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