User reviews

I have to admit, of all the Korean films I have seen over the years, The Attorney has to be one of the most relateable internationally. Through this film, I was constantly reminded of our own injustices within the American system, specifically during the times when the U.S. was going after supposed communists. But the film goes beyond, carrying a huge heart and an intense drama, well portrayed by it's actors. While it starts slow, it turns into a riveting and surprising court drama.

The focus is on Song Woo-seok, an attorney who, for the sake of his family, seeks to gain money and prosperity as fast as possible. In turn, however, he tries to keep out of the growing political movement of the times and focus on property and tax law. However, this changes when the son of a friend is arrested and tortured as a suspected communist. His attention turns to exposing the corrupt laws and officials responsible.

The film starts off slowly, with the first hour or so spent focused on Song's journey to building his practice, his motivations for doing so, and the troubles he faces as he does this. This beginning part is almost wholly different from the latter half of the film. Song is mostly carefree, with his budding, successful practice, the love of his family, and his growing relationships with those around him. It's both touching and humorous in some instances, and Song Kang-ho is incredibly likable as the ambitious, but big hearted Woo-seok. He's easily identifiable in his reluctance to engage in the changing political atmosphere and his ambitions to be successful for his family's sake. It would have been easy to turn him into a greedy, cold lawyer, but he is far from so. So, it is only that much more enjoyable to see him tackle such an important subject in the latter half of the film.

At the same time, it is quite riveting and you genuinely fear for the safety and security of Song as he takes on an entire justice system. While there are many surprises, it is ultimately pleasant to see Song take such a stand against an unjust system. It is at this point that the film becomes a courtroom drama, with cinematography that moves and edits that ramp up the pacing. There is genuine intrigue as to how this underdog will take on the system, and even if he can win. I won't spoil the surprises, but I will say that the film does have a few. The ending could be debated, but it is very fitting for this story and I was left with a smile. I can honestly say I was incredibly pleased with this film. Last year, Korea delivered New World, and it ended up being my favorite film of the year. This year, I had the pleasure of watching this film, and I can easily say this may very well end up as high, or nearly as high, on my list as New World. I can't recommend this film enough.

Very well made, highly recommended. For the roots of the South Korean miracle, and the many little battles to achieve democracy.

The Attorney is about a self-studied lawyer who did not graduate from college. He makes a name for himself doing taxes but gradually his eyes start to open to the state of Korea's oppressive regime and he takes the fight to the National Security Act.

The movie never says it is based on a true story but the events depicted have a sense of reality about it. A simple wiki told me that it is based on Roh Moo-hyun, the former South Korean president who did passionately defend the accused in 1981 and then became a notable leading figure of democratization movement since that trial. After his presidency and following tragic suicide in 2009, his name and legacy have been virtually tarnished and butchered by the local right-wing politicians including the current South Korean president. The movie doesn't depict his Presidency days onwards but focus on his days of political awakening. I remembered reading the tragic suicide in the papersbut had no idea what the man was about.

The movie is not without its flaws. The transition from light comedy to full-on drama is hardly seamless (this is probably the case with most Korean films). The narrative in first act feels uneven and I wasn't sure what the focus was until it hits the second hour. Some characters also suffer from an illness of under-development. However there are two good reasons to see this. Number one is Song Kang-Ho. The actor is definitely the most dependable actor in Korean cinema. His portrayal of the shady lawyer smooths away all the rough spots and he gives the role a humility that will make your heart ache. The second reason is the superb rousing courtroom drama with lots of twist and turns.

It is not just about a desperate attorney. It is the portrait of Korean culture in its most aching and general aspect in the last 100 years. It depicts the most serious mental and social aspect of Koreans in terms of politics. To understand Korea, you need to be able to identify the different roles of the parties shown here. Mr. Song, the attorney, is the person who had the most typical life of 1970-1980s, as a social survivor in 1990s, and the political figure of 2000s. He is the late president of Korea who represented Korean minds in so many ways. If I have to pick the most Korean Korean in last decades out of media, he is the one. He is the very Korean boy, the young man, and mid-age uncle, and Korean system. This movie's value lies not on anything in its plot, shooting, or else, but it is so accurate in depicting the thinking of Koreans in the last 30 years. It is so reliably and genuinely Korean, any human being can see that it transcends the boundary of a region and country. It is well-done without much exaggeration and over acting. A master-piece and the best actors.

This movie was very meaningful, I enjoyed every minute. Amazing acting with an outstanding cast. This is a courtroom drama done right. Surely one of the best attorneys put on screen in the entire cinema history. This film doesn't disappoint.

The almost first half of the movie was average but it grips up after the first half and it is really awesome to watch the second half of the movie.

For this kind of movie it's totally involving from beginning to end. Song Kang Ho shows a huge range from down and out to successful attorney to human rights lawyer full of indignation. Powerful performance without overacting. The torture is quite heartbreaking for the needlessness of inflicting this on their own citizens in a so called democracy not that long ago.

A South Korean drama from 2013. Song Kang ho (Bong Joon-ho's go to guy who's appeared in several of his films including 2019's Best Picture, Parasite) stars as the titular ambulance chaser, well tax prepper, who gets a case that will change his life. Starting off his career making a lot of bank by luring clientele to his office to prep taxes (something a lawyer in Korea can do) where he even gains a partner who comes in off the street to help w/his work load. Soon enough a friend, Kim Young-ae, who runs an eatery w/her son, Oh Sal-su, calls upon his services when Sal-su is arrested during a Communist crackdown in their city where he's beaten, tortured & forced to make a confession along w/others. Definitely outside of his comfort zone, Kang-ho forges ahead & although the defense is stacked against him (along w/the judge), his passion & his astute reading of the law gets the public on his side where his fellow legal brethren stand w/him by film's end. Kang-ho is excellent here as he uses the court arena to vent & attack injustice at its most severe but unfortunately the plot struggles to find focus until the trial begins during the film's second hour diluting the overall film's power which Kang-ho nearly saves, I said nearly.

This is a very good movie centred on a wonderful performance from Song Kang-Ho, and while his character and character arc shine, much of the movie feels very fictionalised and "cinematic", sometimes to the point of detracting from the story. Also has a weird, made-for-TV vibe to some of the shots even though generally the cinematography was decent.

In the languages of some tribes in Africa, there is no word "freedom" at all. They do not know what it means. People always say that the more a person lacks something, the more he publicizes it, so he has toilet paper such as representative, development concept and values. When the country around us reflects on the past, we are still drunk with money.

GOOD. Interesting and inspiring story. Initially, you think it is a motivational film, the kind in which the protagonist manages to rise from nothing to success in his career. However, this is not the focus of the film. It is a film about JUSTICE and justice in a corrupt and authoritarian judicial environment. The title already foreshadows what you will see throughout your execution: lawyer, judge, court, police ... I was not curious to research, but perhaps the film is biographical (based on a real story). The phrase that motivates and guides our main character reflects his conduct throughout the plot: "Never Give Up". It is a self-help phrase commonly found in motivational books. The main actor is competent (perhaps one of the best in South Korea) and his performance is impeccable. I recommend.

Watching this movie as an Indian audience The story of establishments targeting and branding a group of people is so relatable. History shows this has happened many times in different parts of the world and is still happening.

Excellent acting , superb script. Movie picks up pace after initial establishing of the lead characters. The last part is a thrilling courtroom drama.

It portrays the reality. Must watched movie. Highly recommended.

What is the country mentioned by the witness? Article 1 (2) of the Constitution of the Republic of Korea states that the sovereignty of the Republic of Korea belongs to the country, and all power is generated by the citizens. The country is the citizens. However, the witness has no legal basis and emphasizes national security, trampling down the country underfoot... you are the worm that makes a kind and innocent country sick, and you are the dirty helper of the military regime, This is definitely a debut work. It's already great to cover up the flaws. I was made to shed tears several times by Song Kanghao's divine acting skills. Rather than being emotional, I feel that this is the effectiveness of the actor's performance, deeply ingrained in my heart. The story is very chewy, adapted from real events, a turning point from South Korea's military dictatorship to promoting democracy. At the end, I cried like a fool. Also, do Korean movies and dramas really come from the same country? Come on...

Absolutely great. What's so great about it? First it's a totally relatable human story. Second it's about truth and justice. Third this is all made into a great movie through the absolutely RIVETING performances. It's not a glitzy movie, it's real and gritty but full of hope. Im Si Wan started out his career with a great role, I hope he'll get some similar ones in the future. The lawyer is outstanding. The journalist, the mom, the supporting cast. I highly recommend this as a serious piece of cinema that has deeper meaning. Apparently I need to fill in more characters- this movie reminds me about the real stories that are at the heart of great cinema.