Hellcats (2008) Movie Review

Despite its inappropriate title and DVD cover, which would seem to suggest some kind of anarchic girl power sex comedy, “Hellcats” is actually a genuine attempt to depict the lives, and indeed love lives of women from three different generations in modern day Korea. This is no more than should be expected from director Kwon Chil In, whose 2003 hit “Singles” was one of the first films from the country to openly tackle the subject.

Based upon the comic “10, 20 and 30″ by Kang Mo Rim, the film centres upon three women living together, beginning with 27 year old failed screenwriter Ah Mi (television actress Kim Min Hee), whose life is in freefall and who has to choose between her shabby rocker ex-boyfriend Won Suk (Kim Hong Soo, also in “Romantic Warriors”) and new suave accountant beau Seung Won (Kim Sung Soo, “Monopoly”) while trying to quit smoking and control her drinking and temper. Her older sister Young Mi (Lee Mi Sook, “Untold Scandal”) isn’t much better off, a controlling and lonely 40-year-old former man-eater on the verge of menopause who launches into an eye-opening affair with a young actor from her theatre troupe. Last but not least is Young Mi’s daughter Kang Ae (’Wonder Girls’ singer Ahn So Hee), a high school student who desperately chases after her long-time sweetheart, only to find herself confused by feelings for her female best friend.

“Hellcats” is a film obviously aimed primarily at female audiences, though this is not to say that it is a particularly feminist piece of cinema as such, and it should still be of interest to all persuasions. This is mainly by virtue of the fact that Kwon Chil In makes a concerted and genuine effort to really bring his characters to convincing life, and it’s certainly pleasing to see a female-oriented romantic drama which is not populated by the usual ’sassy’ stereotypes or doe-eyed though simple minded angels. All three of the women are fascinating, and more important, believable characters whose lives are filled with the kind of everyday problems and emotional conflicts that viewers are only too likely to have encountered themselves. As a result, though they are not always likeable, making their fair share of mistakes and bad decisions, they are always sympathetic, and their stories make for engaging and unpredictable viewing. The film is realistic throughout, and through this it manages to transcend being a straightforward piece of domestic drama, coming across instead as being concerned with life, love and dreams in general. Although it takes its characters through some pretty rough times it manages to come out with a positive, life-affirming message, though without patronising or offering any quick-fix solutions. Surprisingly, despite the obvious potential for tears and hysteria, the melodrama is kept to a dignified minimum, and the film is all the more moving for it.

Ah Mi gets most of the screen time and holds the film together with her narration, though Young Mi and Kang Ae are by no means mere bit-players. Each of the three has their own distinct personalities and problems, and Kwon weaves the various narrative strands together skilfully, switching between them in a manner that nicely accentuates the drama. The actresses all turn in convincing performances, in particular Kim Min Hee, whose role is arguably the most difficult and emotionally intense. Needless to say, the male characters are not as developed as the female leads, though thankfully some effort is still made to flesh them out a little, and as a result the film does have a sense of balance rather than of being told wholly from the point of view of only one of the sexes.

The film shows a light touch, and there is a fair amount of comedy, though thankfully this is kept firmly in the background so as not to detract from the all-important realism. Quite a few of the laughs come from the excruciatingly embarrassing, though sadly recognisable situations that the women frequently find themselves in, though these never degenerate into slapstick or anything too mean spirited. Kwok’s direction is matter of fact though intimate, which again is just as well, as too much in the way of visual flourishes might have taken viewers out of the story.

It is precisely this quality which makes “Hellcats” far more entertaining and enjoyable than might have been expected, and which allows it to stand as an engaging piece of deeply humanistic cinema. Although obviously likely to be of more interest to female viewers, it should not be ignored by anyone after a believable and well-crafted look at modern life and relationships.

Chil-in Kwon (director) / Park Hye-Ryeon, Hyeon-su Kim, Soo-ah Kim (screenplay)
CAST: Mi-suk Lee … Kim Yeong-mi
Heung-su Kim … Nah Won-seok
Seong-su Kim … Oh Seung-won