Director: Kwak Kyung-Taek.
Starring: Yu Oh-Seong, Ju Jin-Mo, Kim Woo-Bin, Jeong Ho-Bin, Lee Cheol-Min.
Running time: 124 minutes.
Certificate: R.
Synopsis: 17 years after ordering the murder of his best friend and gangster rival, Lee Jeon Seok (Yu Oh-Seong) is released from prison. Now on the outside he discovers his position has been somewhat usurped and he begins a rise to his former glory, while also looking out for the son of an old school friend.
Kwak Kyung-Taek’s FRIEND was one of the films that ushered in the Korean New Wave, and was one of the first Korean films to grab my attention. It also grabbed the attention of the Korean nation, as it was the highest grossing film in Korea back when it was released in 2001. The tale of childhood friends growing up into a life of crime was a riveting mix of STAND BY ME and GOODFELLAS, and now, over a decade later, Kwak is returning to the world of crime and power in FRIEND: THE GREAT LEGACY.
Making a sequel to such an iconic film was never going to be easy, but Kwak hits all the right notes to make this every bit as phenomenal as the original. His first master stroke is to make this both a continuation of the original story, but also a standalone film. Prior knowledge isn’t going to hurt, but they do cover all the basics to make sure you’ll be up to speed if you missed the first film. This is done by focusing on a single character and taking him on a thematically related, but very different journey. Jeon Seok is charged with taking care of the son of an old school friend, and the two spar over the meaning of family, honour, and respect. The generational gap plays a major part in FRIEND: THE GREAT LEGACY, reflecting the changes in culture over time. This is further enhanced by the scenes that revolve around Jeon Seok’s father in his early years (Ju Jin-Mo).
The focus on three generations could have been very messy. It’s obvious with the prequel as well as sequel elements that Kwak has attempted to create his own THE GODFATHER: PART II, and as hard as it is to believe, he isn’t far off. The period setting in the ’60s demonstrates exquisite costume design, as well as demonstrating the cyclical nature of crime. Kwak captures the idea that these men are trapped in a world where, despite their lust for power, little can be controlled. If this wasn’t enough, side characters are seamlessly interwoven and supplied with captivating backstories; there’s the inexplicably loyal and simple bodyguard, as well as the old guard whose past loyalty leads to severe burns. With such attention to detail, this universe simply can’t be explored enough.
As with all classic gangster films, Kwak is also a master at handling violence. FRIEND: THE GREAT LEGACY harbours some of the most intense and impactful violence of recent years without having to go into too much gruesome detail. The shock comes from the suddenness of the chaos, a tactic used by many of cinema’s greats including Martin Scorsese, Quentin Tarantino and Takeshi Kitano. All of these directors have no doubt influenced this work, but it never feels as though Kwak is trying to copy, or even pay homage to such talents. Rather, he has learnt from them and added his own spin.
To imagine a sequel to FRIEND was a terrifying experience, but to see it come to life is not just relieving, but also rewarding. This entertaining and beautifully violent take on the gangster genre makes sure to put the exploration of morals and ethics first, as well as nurturing the emotional context that gives every scene and character its strength. Beautifully shot and never a dull moment, FRIEND: THE GREAT LEGACY is an absolute triumph.
FRIEND: THE GREAT LEGACY is released in U.S. cinemas today.
