User Reviews

With Kim Ki-Duk films (though he just wrote this one and didn't helm), you're always in for extremes. Consequently I find his work either appalling or strangely fascinating, depending on the consistency of the story, which is always a man-woman relationship out of the ordinary. In this case the context is (once more) extremely constructed: A natural beauty finds herself the target of non-ceasing unwanted male attention and estranged from envious female friends. After having been raped by a stalker, she attempts to destroy her unwanted appearance. A policeman who initially protects her is gradually just as crazed by her natural grace as her stalker. And if you wonder why such an obviously traumatized woman is not hospitalized, you get to see how a doctor also tries to have his way with the poor girl.

This never-ending odyssey from one lustful male to the other gives the tragedy an involuntary comical twist, and scenes of startling violence interchange with moments of strange humour. That's where this film departs from the gruesomeness of Kim Ki-Duk's earlier works, perhaps due to the influence of first-time director Jeon Jae-hong. As a result, I've found it much more entertaining, and not quite as paralyzing. Films like Seom (The Isle) or Hwal (The Bow) move sordidly through beautiful images to sudden violent thuds. Areumdapta however keeps a steady pace towards a larger-than-life and somewhat farcical finish, which makes me wonder - not for the first time - if its creator wants to relate to the female victims of a male-dominated society or if he just, well, gets off on his own twisted fantasies.

The story of this movie is very simple. A very attractive girl must face her beauty like a curse more than a gift. It seems that every man who meets her can't avoid to bother her in some way, until one of them rapes her inside her own apartment. Since then, the girl tries her best to look ugly: first eating a lot for becoming fat and, after failing in her purpose, trying the opposite. When both attempts fail, she begins to make up like a whore and she tries to seduce unknown men. She says that she wants to be alive but she starts a painful process of conscious self-destruction. A young cop tries to protect her but at the same time he falls in love with her and starts to lose his control with tragic consequences for both. That's all. The film is well directed and performed. Kim Ki-duk produces and writes the script but this is not necessarily a guarantee of quality. Let's be honest, he has good movies (like "3-iron") and not so good ones. Although in this case he is not the director, it is one of his "products". And it works the just for deserving 6 or 7 stars, not more (I give it 6). Personally I dislike forced happy ends the same as I dislike forced unhappy ones. Generally, all in "Beautiful" seems a little over the top including the final conclusion. Kim Ki-duk should begin to concentrate more in giving a genuine message and less in trying to shock us. He has an unquestionable talent but he pays too much attention on the reaction of his public. Only when he forgets this handicap he is able to offer works truly authentic and interesting. "Beautiful" has interesting aspects but it could be much better.

I am a Kim Ki-duk fan. This film is based on an original story and co-produced by Kim. I'm not psychic but I'm pretty sure that when Kim was shooting Shi gan (Time), a film about a woman who gets extensive plastic surgery in order to become beautiful, he thought to himself: hmmm, how about a film where a beautiful woman is so bothered by her good looks she tries to make herself ugly. Gosh I'm clever. Let's do it. But he gave it up to somebody else to write the screenplay and direct it.

The film begins with scene after annoying scene of a woman being disrespected because she is beautiful. That's not fun to watch. Little girls want her autograph, hair stylists want to do her hair for free, and of course every man in Korea acts like a complete tool. She is raped and the scene in the police station afterward is as repugnant as one could imagine in a story like this. One cop says things to her like "I can see where the rapist is coming from, with a body like that who wouldn't want to score it." Another cop, a young patrolman, treats her with respect and tries to help her. His intentions are good so he'll keep an eye on her and be ready at a moment's notice to rescue her from whatever pops up.

He stalks her in scene after annoying scene as she stuffs her face unattractively with junk food trying to make herself fat. She eats too much and throws up and ends up in the hospital. Then she tries to starve herself into looking gaunt. When she passes out in the park, the young patrolman runs out from behind a tree with a plate of dumplings. "This time it's going to cost you" he says. She gets up from the puddle of puke she's been working on and gives him the evil eye. "Only kidding", he says. Ha ha ha. Then she puts on makeup to look like a "bar girl." These are the steps on the ladder of despair she climbs.

I kept waiting for some signature Kim Ki-duk extreme move to happen, like she takes a blowtorch to her face or something. Of course, the nice young patrolman turns out to be suspect in his shenanigans. He buys a coffee pot just like the one he saw in her apartment and you know what that means. The rapist starts appearing everywhere she goes (in a very ineffectual male J-Horror-Goth-Chick sort of way) and it drives her crazy. But not crazy enough to do something really Kim Ki-duky. Nah. She kills, she dies, and they continue to disrespect her. I think. I dunno, they turned out the lights.

Sorry Kim Ki-duk fans, this is a stupid, implausibly written and acted, big zero. The girl is pretty but she couldn't bring any creditability to such an empty script.

I think it is probably one of the most disturbing films I have watched since "Teeth". I was quite emotionally involved throughout the movie. "Teeth" is probably presenting many men's nightmare and "beautiful" is probably an extreme description of "men are pigs". I think the main actress would love to have the ability that the girl in "teeth" has. I try not to give a spoiler but you will understand me when you watch both movies.

This is a movie though that I think is better than "Teeth" in terms of acting. The main actress is indeed a pretty girl but her acting skill is great. To me, a lot of actress' break out movie is not because she can act; it is because she "dares" to act. Just to say that she sacrifice a lot to make this movie work. Just like a lot of Asian movie, they try to give you an image that you have not think about whole lot but it is in the real life and then they emphasise the image.

There are scenes in the movie that I actually think most guys will do that when fantasising their favourite girls and most guys will not think that is a big deal. I recommend them to watch this movie and think about how your favourite girls are violated by those actions if they find out about them.

===Warning: Spoilers below=== I remember one dialogue from the rapist in the movie making me think about beat him to death: Rapist: I did not commit the crime, I did not rape you. I am the victim here. I am the one got raped. Your beauty raped me. You are the real criminal.

The policeman's reply to the main actress is also sick as hell: I know he is a sick bastard but it is partly your fault. You pretty girls always go out there with make ups and trying to seduce men by wearing short shirt in the winter time. You are asking for these yourselves.

And then he asked her to tell him very details about the rape.

===sorry about the translation, I tried my best to jug my memory. It is pretty much the gist, though. ==== In conclusion, it has good acting, good directing and good storyline. Recommend for adults, not only because the adultery scenes, I don't know younger audience will get the idea.