On Demand Weekly provides new movie reviews of hot movies on demand and from the POV of watching from the comfort of your home. Today’s review: THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (Gravitas On Demand).
THE MAN FROM NOWHERE - Now Here On Demand
By Chris Claro
Sure, it’ s a little derivative and unsurprising, but THE MAN FROM NOWHERE is also a stylish action thriller that makes up for its lack of originality with a overload of adrenaline and action. Writer/director Jeong-beom Lee’s story of an inscrutable ex-special agent up against drug dealers and organ traffickers thrums along with an insistent rhythm, rocketing from one set piece to the next.
THE MAN FROM NOWHERE is one of those films that, by virtue of its exotic South Korean location, earns a pass on having a shopworn plot: Tae-Sik, former special agent and, naturally, a lone wolf haunted by some long ago incident, finds himself fighting for right as he pursues the bad guys and tracks down his adorable nine-year-old neighbor.
It’s a little bit TAKEN, a dash of THE PROFESSIONAL, and even a soupcon of TAXI DRIVER thrown into a broth and stirred up with ladles full of Hong Kong-style fisticuffs.. But despite the prominence of the tropes of western cinema, director Lee makes THE MAN FROM NOWHERE a refreshingly singular experience.
THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (Gravitas)
Set in a part of the world where it is seemingly always either overcast or nighttime, THE MAN FROM NOWHERE is a feast for fans of tightly choreographed, crisply edited action. Lee’s camera roams go-go clubs, meth labs, and noodle shops, in a graphic and literally visceral journey through the darkness. And the action that punctuates that journey is teeth rattlingly bloody.
Tae-Sik’s skills with knives, guns, swords, fists, teeth, and whatever else is nearby, are nonpareil. His methods of dispatch are efficient and memorable. And they’re not for the squeamish.
THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (Gravitas)
Though it’s not the kind of film one notes for its acting, Sae-Ron Kim must be singled out for her astonishing portrayal of So-Mi, the little girl who becomes the focus of both hero and villain. Aside from being absolutely adorable, she conjures up moments of emotion that are breathtakingly real. As the linchpin on which the action hinges, Kim neither overplays nor relies on kid-actor tricks. Her happiness in the face of her character’s miserable existence is heartbreaking and makes her relationship with avenger Tae-Sik that much more affecting.
THE MAN FROM NOWHERE (Gravitas)
As Tae-Sik, Bin Won, who co-starred in the arresting and creepy MOTHER in 2009, is all brooding regret and great hair. Like the iconic American heroes, his verbiage is minimal – he speaks the language of fist. As he makes his way up the chain of villains and his motivation becomes more apparent, Tae-Sik evolves into more than just an action hero, which makes the film’s conclusion, predictable though it may be, still powerful.
For an evening of high-intensity action that is also, be warned, quite gory, give yourself over to the exhilarating rush of THE MAN FROM NOWHERE. Between its one-man-band of retribution and some adorable waifs in danger, it’s a thrilling ride into the dark underbelly of Korean crime.
- Chris Claro
Chris Claro is a contributing writer to On Demand Weekly. He is a former Director of Promotion for Sundance Channel and now works as a writer, producer, and media educator. He is a regular contributor to dvdverdict.com and contributor to the Eyes and Ears section of huffingtonpost.com
Look for THE MAN FROM NOWHERE in your cable systerm's Independent Film Movie On Demand section.
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