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Released by: CJ Entertainment
Released on: February 11, 2014
Director: Choo Chang-min
Cast: Lee Byung-hun, Ryu Seung-ryong, Han hyo-joo
Year: 2012
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The Movie:
In Choo Chan-min's film Masquerade, Lee Byung-hun (I Saw the Devil, G. I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, G. I. Joe: Retaliation) stars in a dual role as the tyrannical and paranoid King Gwanghe, 15th ruler of the Joseon Dynasty, and the peasant actor paid to impersonate him after an attempt is made on the King's life. The film is a fictional account of the fifteen days that are missing from the official records of King Gwanghe's reign (1574-1641), as indicated by the text which opens the film: “"One must not record that which he wishes to hide."
Masquerade opens before the credits with a stunning set piece in which King Gwanghe is dressed and pampered by his servants, highlighting the film's fine attention to detail and the finery and extravagance of the King's Court. Soon after, we're introduced to the King's dilemma: he has become unpopular with the people, and rival politicians are trying to undermine his leadership. After a traitor poisons his meal, he becomes convinced that another assassination attempt will be made soon, so he orders his Chief Secretary, Heo Gyun, played by Ryu Seung-ryong (War of the Arrows, The Front Line), to find a man who can convincingly act as his double.
Heo Gyun hires a local peasant actor named Ha-sun, who is jailed for making a lewd mockery of the King in a local tavern. After a brief meeting with the King, where Ha-sun has the opportunity to learn how he speaks, the King is soon poisoned, and Ha-sun is forced to take on the role of the King while Gwanghe recovers in a secret location. The peasant actor is quickly groomed and taught how to act, talk and rule like the King, while becoming increasingly aware of the manipulations of the politicians that surround him and the government's abuse of the people who serve him. However, the King's chief rival, suspects that the something is not right with the King.
Lee Byung-hun gives a career-defining performance in Masquerade. As King Gwanghe, Byung-hun exudes confidence and machismo while also being paranoid and conspiratorial, but he's excellent in the role as the sympathetic and noble peasant Ha-sun, where he showcases a real talent for physical comedy as well as dramatic pathos. His dynamic performance is most definitely the highlight of the film.
Though the initial setup presents Masquerade as a historical drama, much of the film plays out like a comedy of manners. The imposter Ha-sun has to learn all the demands and decorum of courtly life, including everything from speaking official decrees to defecating in a plum-scented box (yes, I'm serious). Ha-sun's reactions to his life as King often work to point out either the excesses of courtly life or the King's heartless and tyrannical rule over his people. The comedic satire of the film's second act becomes increasingly poignant and dramatic in the third act as Ha-sun begins to feel responsible for his role as King, real or not.
Masquerade is a mix of genres, and it never remains one kind of film for very long. It opens with political intrigue and drama, then balances comedy with romance, and, in the final act, returns to drama. The result of this constant shifting of genres is that the film never drags during its 129 minute running time. This is a dense, exciting, and often funny film that never loses sight of the characters that are its emotional center. There is also a populist social message at the heart of the film, as Ha-sun takes on the role of a truly noble King only once he understands how the people have suffered under Gwanghe's reign, and it is by his example that the real King is able to defeat his rivals and win the respect and admiration of the people.
Because the film is a fictional interpretation of missing (or hidden) historical records, those interested in Korean history are likely to find more to appreciate in the historical and political sides of the story, but non-experts in Korean history will appreciate Masquerade for its emotionally moving story, the quality of its visual compositions, and the compelling dual performance delivered by Lee Byung-hun.
Video/Audio/Extras:
Masquerade was shot on Red and is presented on Blu-ray in widescreen with a finely detailed 1080p, AVC-encode transfer. Colours are vibrant, with reds and golds really standing out in particular. There is a refined level of detail present throughout the film, with black levels and shadows showing a good amount of visual depth during the film's darker scenes. Overall, the presentation of Masquerade on Blu-ray really emphasizes the rich colors and visual splendor of the film's ornate period costumes and set design.
Audio options include Korean Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0, with options for English subtitles, and English Dolby Digital 5.1 and 2.0. I was unable to test the 5.1 audio tracks but the 2.0 Korean track provided a clear and well-balanced audio mix. The dubbing of the English 2.0 audio track is passable, but not recommended unless you have a serious aversion to reading subtitles, as the dubbing seriously detracts from Lee Byung-hun's performance.
Unfortunately, there are no extras on this disc.
The Final Word:
It's easy to see why Masquerade is the fourth highest grossing Korean film of all time, and won the lion's share of awards from the 2012 Grand Bell Awards (the Korean equivalent of the Academy Awards), including Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, and many more. Masquerade is a very moving film and it's easy to get caught up in the emotional current of the story. Though it is unlike most of the extreme cinema that Korea is internationally known for, and features very little action or violence (except one sword fight in the final act and one brief torture sequence), Masquerade is absolutely worth your time.
Click on the images below for full sized Blu-ray screen caps!
