My Wife Is a Gangster (2001)

spoiler alerts! seriously i just stopped watching this movie when the married man tried to peak up her shirt when she was sleeping...this movie is just stupid...its suppose to be a comedy, but fails miserably...the ONLY way you are going to laugh this this movie is if you laugh at anything that moves...DO NOT WASTE YOUR TIME!! considered yourself warned!!! i'm not a miserable person if you are thinking that, there are a lot of other Korean comedies that i've enjoyed, Mr. handy, 100 days with Mr arrogant, my little bride, he was cool just to name a few ones i would recommend, please, don't waste your two hours on this film!

Being totally unfamiliar with Korean cinema, I was pleasantly surprised. Not only was this a multi-culturally funny movie, but a great action adventure tale as well. My true surprise came with the depth of the characters, something sadly lacking in the Hollywood action/comedies. The acting was also first rate, especially within the ranks of the lead performers. If you are curious about Korean cinema, this is definitely a good starter piece. It certainly left me wanting to see more.

Highly entertaining film, which could have been vastly improved by a simple 20 second cut at the end of the fight sequence where the lady in question takes on the rival gang. I like a bit of ultraviolence as well as the next chap, and the fight sequences in this film are well choreographed and well executed, and sit quite happily in what is essentially a comedy. But really, the final blows in the last set-piece are thoroughly unsporting, not to mention unpleasant, and totally unnecessary from the dramatic point of view: the direct consequence of those few seconds could have been brought about at any stage of the fight. So a 7, rather than an 8 or a 9 because of the nasty taste that is left behind.

First, let me explain that I don't speak or comprehend Korean. I also watched the only available version of this film, which just happens to be with Korean audio and no subtitles. Also, my knowledge of Korean history is pretty sparse, but serves me well enough.With the caveats aside, I enjoyed this film as well as one can without understanding any of the dialog. I agree with the other reviewers who say this film is a good mix of action, drama, and comedy. Obviously, the action translates just fine. I understood a great deal of the comedy and was surprised to be able to get most of the dramatic happenings. That said, most of the drama was lost on me, I was only able to understand the basic gist of it.This did not stop me from enjoying the film. I was surprised at how similar this film was to a Hollywood offering. The 'wife' does action well and the closing scene was a good laugh. Maybe if I understood the dialog I would have seen it coming, but it was a funny surprise to me. The hip-hop closing credit song surprised me. Funny how flexible western culture can be. I can understand how people of other nationalities can feel they are being 'invaded' and sense a loss of their own culture. Perhaps if I watch it again, the combination of reading other's reviews and having seen it once, I would get a lot more from it.I am just starting to get into writing reviews and look forward to doing many more.