The Call (2020) – "A Thrilling Connection Between Past and Present"

 



Director: Lee Chung-hyun

Starring: Park Shin-hye, Jeon Jong-seo, Kim Sung-ryung

Producers: Choi Yeon-sik

Production Company: Yong Film

Music Director: Dalpalan

Cinematography: Jo Young-jik

Editor: Yang Jin-mo

Genre: Thriller, Mystery

Language: Korean

Runtime: 112 minutes

Release Date: 2020-11-27

OTT Platform: Netflix

Plot:

'The Call' follows the story of Seo-yeon, who connects with a stranger through a phone call that mysteriously links her to the past. This stranger, Young-sook, is from 20 years ago, and their communication sets off a series of unexpected and thrilling events that blur the lines between their two timelines.

Performances:

Park Shin-hye: Her performance is very impressive, showcasing a range of emotions including love, care, fear, and anger. She carried every emotion well, especially in the intense moments of saving something important, delivering a tense and powerful performance.

Jeon Jong-seo: Her portrayal of a mentally unstable, psychic character is outstanding. Her performance will blow you away in several scenes. Her expressions are at their peak, making her character thoroughly enjoyable to watch.

Kim Sung-ryung: Despite her limited screen time, she gives a noteworthy performance. Her natural acting, particularly in the climax, stands out and is memorable.

Other Supporting Cast: The supporting cast delivered commendable performances, bringing their characters to life with natural and genuine acting.

Technical Aspects:

Director: Lee Chung-hyun and the writer came up with a brilliant concept and succeeded in its execution. The film's magical and unexplainable theory, although not fully clarified, is intriguing. However, the pacing falters in the middle but picks up again.

Cinematography: The cinematography by Jo Young-jik is top-notch, featuring masterful camera angles and movements that highlight the film's visuals.

Music Director: Dalpalan provided excellent music. The sound mixing, re-recording, and background scores elevate key scenes, adding to the film's intensity.

Visuals and VFX: The visuals and VFX are impressive, showcasing the hard work of the team. The brilliant VFX and seamless editing contribute to the film's overall quality.

Strengths:

  • Concept of the film
  • Performances
  • Cinematography
  • Music

Weaknesses:

  • Slow pace at times
  • Unanswered theory

My Personal Take on Cinema:

‘The Call’ offers thrilling moments and an interesting plot that captivates the audience. While it may experience pacing issues, it quickly recovers, maintaining its flow. The cinematography is a masterclass, and the VFX and editing teams did a great job. The music enhances the scenes, and the performances, particularly by the lead actors, are highlights of the movie. Even though we are familiar with the concept, the small changes made this a good concept. Overall, 'The Call' is a good film, especially for fans of the thriller and mystery genres.

Rating: 3/5

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