Private Eye

Korean filmmaker Park Dae-Min's film noir mystery is set in pre-1910 Seoul, when Japan controlled but had not yet annexed the peninsula. Hong Jin-Ho (Hwang Jung-Min), an ex-cop now eking out a living as a shamus specializing in crummy cases involving adulterous spouses, hopes to save enough money to emigrate to the U.S. Offered a large reward, the disheveled detective is enticed to investigate the murder of a powerful official's son. A young medical student who discovered the body serves as his nervous Dr. Watson, while a studious noblewoman with a scientific bent helps with expert advice whenever they hit an impasse. The search eventually leads to a sinister circus, coupled with disclosures of corruption at the highest levels of the Japanese occupying government—including the local collaborationist police force from which our hero was expelled. The plot of Private Eye is pure pulp, but the film is handsomely mounted with lavish sets, colorful costumes, and lots of action-packed street chases and fights. The result is part homage to ‘40s Hollywood fare and part would-be contemporary blockbuster—a combination that doesn't entirely convince. But even though it's no Chinatown, this is enjoyable enough to be recommended. (F. Swietek)