The Day He Arrives

In Korean filmmaker Hong Sang-soo's unusual comedy, Yu Jun-Sang stars as Seongjun, a filmmaker who abruptly left the Seoul film scene—just as his career was rising—to take a job as a professor at a minor college in a provincial town. After a long absence, Seongjun returns to Seoul to visit a film critic friend, but cannot find his former comrade. Wandering the streets, Seongjun is recognized by a would-be actress and a group of film students, but is ultimately unhappy over losing his anonymity. Seongjun also reconnects with an ex-girlfriend, only to leave her after they spend the night together. Seongjun eventually locates his film critic pal and falls into a brief affair with an attractive bar owner. Other film industry folks also spot him, but Seongjun prefers not to renew their acquaintance. The twist is that—as it progresses—the film drifts into a Groundhog Day-style of storytelling, as scenes and situations appear to be repeated, albeit with slight changes in set-up and outcome. Shot in artsy black-and-white, The Day He Arrives ultimately emerges as a vibrantly original work of art that benefits from Yu Jun-Sang's wonderfully droll and thoroughly unpredictable lead performance. Highly recommended. (P. Hall)