This is the “Crime thriller of 2012” involving organized crime world set in the 1980’s in the port city of Busan. It’s actually the director’s father’s generation and so the “retro” perspective leads one to consider this film a kind of “Memories of Crimes”. The director’s ambitions are made clear in his attempt to make a Korean “Godfather”. The film often borrows from the world famous classical crime thrillers of yore. At times it is a homage and at others a parody but never awkward or forced. In fact, these elements only add to the fun and enhance the narrative layers. And at 2 hours and 10 minutes, the film doesn’t lose tension as the plot is meticulously laid out. We see the world of machismo and masculinity, yet there is very little sexual undertone or graphic visuals common to this genre. And one cannot but marvel at the stand out performances of the ensemble cast. Never since <The King and the Clown> and <Punch> have we seen such seamless performances by ensemble cast. Choi Min-shik, Ha Jung-woo are the two top liners but the supporting actors of Cho Jinwoong, Kwak Dowon and Kim Sung-gyun and the rest are definitely something to write home about. It can be said the golden days for these actors. (JEON Chanil)