J.S.A.: Joint Security Area
Chan-wook Park's initial endeavor in filmmaking shows that the talented man hit the ground running. Joint Security Area, often referred to as JSA, is the jointly guarded area along the border between North and South Korea. Lying along the demilitarized zone, this border is the most hotly guarded border in the world. "J.S.A.: Joint Security Area" uses this fierce political setting as its canvas, painting a murder mystery that sets both countries on the verge of political upheaval.
"J.S.A.'s" first act reveals Sgt. Sophie Jean, a member of the Swiss-Swedish Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. She has been tasked at discovering what really happened during a late night firefight that occurred at the border. Diffusing this is most important; what results could lead to war. As Sgt. Jean interviews the men, she finds that they have completely contradicting stories, meaning that someone is lying. Yet as she discovers more answers, evidence points to neither is telling the truth and that their story may not be as clear as it first appeared.
It is in the film's second act that it really kicks off as we see the suspects and what leads up to that night. This is welcome since the first act frames the crime as your typical murder mystery and the English acting is rather poor, if not laughable. Of the two suspects, South Korean soldier Sgt. Lee Soo-hyeok claims he was kidnapped and had to shoot his way out of a North Korean bunker, killing two and wounding another. North Korean soldier Sgt. Oh Kyeong-pil, the only survivor, claims the South Korean stormed the bunker, ruthlessly killing his comrades.
The second act's flashbacks show a story more heartwarming than you'd expect. The truth is more about bonding and our humanity than hatred of a bordering enemy. It is this acknowledgment of humanity that the film really turns on. We see these characters as feeling and loving humans, not as cold-hearted follow-your-orders soldiers.
This fact makes the third act all the more painful as the true events are finally revealed. Sgt. Jean is reintroduced, as she further breaks down the truth and eventually finds in the end that skirting the truth may have been the best way out. "J.S.A." culminates into grief as the characters reflect on what they have done. The film ends on the saddest note that I've seen in a film; as the camera pans on a black and white photograph, we see each of the characters looking at the camera. While the image itself means nothing, after all we have seen, it is heartbreaking as it reveals the true cost of forbidden friendship.
"J.S.A." is superbly directed. Park has been heralded as South Korea's finest export and many have been hard-pressed to disagree: the man is a genius. "Oldboy" remains one of my favorite films ever and even his worst film, "I'm a Robot but It's OK," has a certain amount of charm that makes it totally watchable. "J.S.A." is his most accessible film, yet it doesn't mean it is any easier to see. You know where it is going, but there's no way for you to stop the crash. All you can do is watch. This makes the film a tough view at times, especially in its happiest moments.
This was also one of the first films for its two leads. Byung-Hun Lee, who plays the South Korean suspect and who American audiences will next see as Storm Shadow in "G.I. Joe: Rise of Cobra," is sterling as the affable-turned-muted soldier. He brings this strength with even greater skill in roles in films such as "A Bittersweet Life," but he is still powerful here. Yet, even greater is the slightly cocky and patriotic North Korean suspect, played by Kang-ho Song. Usually a lovable dolt, as seen in films such as "The Host," "The Good, the Bad, the Weird" and "Memories of Murder," he shows that even the poor conditions of North Korea are not enough to ignore one's honor.
"J.S.A." is easily one of the most emotional films I've seen. It is made all the more powerful because it didn't hit me until its final shot.