A Korean Adam's Rib, with plenty to say about the part played by big business in the country's current travails, Bedroom & Courtroomwon't make it to any high-toned fests but is a feast of sharp dialogue and performances for auds willing to accept a well-made commercial movie with a serious message.
Adapted from a play by femme writer Um In-hee, who seems to have studied her Gordon and Kanin, the movie pitches husband-and-wife lawyers Sung-ki (Ahn Sung-ki) and Gi-ja (Mun Seong-keun) against each other when a woman (Hwang Sine) sues a conglom over her partner's lack of sex drive. Sung-ki handles the defence case and Gi-ja the prosecution, exposing all kind of weaknesses in their own marriage as well as the relentless work code of Korea's chaebol that wrecks lives and contributed to the present meltdown.
Ending is both funny and moving. Commercial helmer Kang Woo-suk, who made his name with the Two Copsseries, directs smoothly and in an unflashy manner.
Derek Elley