I'm A Cyborg, But That's OK by Park Chan-Wook

Who would've thought that the director of Oldboy would come out with a film that has joined my (very) short list of 'ROMANTIC FILMS THAT REALLY DON'T SUCK'? Starring Rain, no less.

Anyway the premise of the film is very endearing, two mental patients fall in love. One thinks she's a cyborg, the other is convinced he can steal anything (including personality traits and abilities).

Im Su-jeong really shines as Young-goon, the cyborg. She's really too cute to not fall in love with. Rain also holds up pretty well as Il-soon, the unbelievably hot thief. Ye gods, these two falling in love in a mental institution! Two hot like fire people who are crazy falling in love and literally creating their own world in their own little heads!

How can I not love such a premise?? Seriously, if most people's idea of a romantic fantasy is When Harry Met Sally, this is totally mine.

Sadly, the actual film-making does nothing more than serve to present this premise in a rather utilitarian manner. Ok, maybe it also serves as a vehicle for Rain (SUPER HOT) but, seriously, even Initial D was a bit more adventurous with their material. It kind of disappoints, especially since the director is Park Chan-Wook, that the film remained a sweet little love-letter and not something more. Perhaps not heavier but a bit more... transcendental.

But still, it is the best on-screen romance I've seen since Casablanca (don't knock it, love and politics is really sexy in a dramatic way) and the only (ugh) Romantic Comedy that was really an escapist vicarious enjoyment-type thing like 'Oh-I-Wish-My-Life-Could-Be-Like-This' for me like so many crappy others are for so many other people.

Sigh.

How am I going to find a Korean/Chinese pop-star-type to come and sweep me off my feet if they're all in mental institutions? That's it. I'm checking in to wait for my Jay Chou to arrive.