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The Face Reader
관상
2013 140 min South Korea PG-13 12+
★7.1
Drama, History
Director: Han Jae-rim
Trailers
Description
An exceptionally talented face reader becomes entangled in a bloody power struggle between a child king and his uncle who plans to usurp the throne.
US Gross:
$515,876
Starring
Song Kang-ho
Actor
Lee Jung-jae
Actor
Baek Yoon-shik
Actor
Awards
Asian Film Academy 2014
— Best Costume Design
Key opinion
The Face Reader is a visually arresting historical drama that effectively blends palace intrigue with deep, character-driven themes. While it utilizes the concept of physiognomy as a narrative device, it ultimately succeeds as a potent study of human nature, power, and the inescapable weight of fate.
| Acting | Song Kang-ho and Lee Jung-jae deliver masterful performances that embody the contrasting, animalistic archetypes of their characters. | |
| Production | The production design and costumes provide an authentic and visually spectacular immersion into the Chosun-dynasty period. | |
| Direction | The direction skillfully balances intense political drama with subtle humor, avoiding didactic moralizing even when depicting turbulent power struggles. | |
| Theme | The narrative effectively shifts from lighthearted origins to a tragic, grounded examination of fate, duty, and the consequences of ambition. | |
| Originality | Physiognomy serves as a decorative plot device that anchors the story, though it is secondary to the exploration of human flaws and political betrayal. |