Trailer for TOUGH AS IRON (2013)
Cast: Yoo Ah-In, Kim Hae-Sook, Jung Yu-Mi, Kim Jung-Tae, Kim Sung-Oh, Lee Si-Yeon & Shin Jung-Keun,
Director: Ahn Kwon-Tae
Reviewer: Alexis Fisher
Synopsis: TOUGH AS IRON tells the story of a young man, Gang-Chul (Yoo Ah-In), who is fighting to keep his mother (Kim Hae-Sook) alive and in touch with reality. Devastated by a loss that takes place prior to the beginning of the film, Gang-Chul’s mother is frozen in the past and now exhibits a very peculiar pattern of behavior. As her health and “pranks” worsen, Gang-Chul becomes frustrated by his circumstances and desperate for money.
TOUGH AS IRON also provides a window into the world of Korean organized crime. The film follows the path of a two brother team—Sang-Gon (Kim Jung-Tae) and Whi-Gon (Kim Sung-Oh)—as they attempt to move up the gangster pyramid of power. The youngest brother, Whi-Gon, is very impulsive and quick-tempered meanwhile the eldest brother, Sang-Gon, is patient and seemingly slow to anger. Both brothers are, in their own ways, ruthless and calculating; they share these traits with the leader of this organized crime world (Shin Jung-Keun).
Although an act of kindness brings Gang-Chul closer to the gangster brothers, a meddling friend, Jong-Soo (Lee Si-Yeon), drags him into the callous and unforgiving world of crime. Danger and money, deceit and freedom all surround Gang-Chul, forcing him to make one of the most important decisions of this life. Despite a budding romance with Soo-Ji (Jung Yu-Mi), Gang-Chul has to face this dilemma all on his own.
Review:
As I watched TOUGH AS IRON, I kept waiting for the sophisticated kicks, punches and other nicely choreographed action moves that a title like this one would evoke. What I was not expecting to find was a movie that was mostly concerned with exploring the intangible blows. Although there is physical violence (yes, people do get kicked, killed and knocked out), it only serves to reinforce major themes in the film (i.e. reclaiming one’s pride or denouncing disloyalty). Ultimately, TOUGH AS IRON uses a variety of familial ties to investigate the ways in which being “tough” is redefined. Our young hero, and a bit of a heartthrob, Gang-Chul is the ideal son. Devoted, responsible, and comical, Gang Chul is his mother’s lifeline: she hides, he finds her; she’s hungry, he orders food. In the beginning, her “adventures” and quirkiness do not fully unveil the devastation that has inverted this parent-to-child relationship. A diabetic with a lollypop constantly in her mouth, Gang-Chul’s mother seems to live life without caution. Eventually, she needs more than he, on his own, can offer. A romantic interest, Soo-Ji, creates a safe space for our “tough” hero to finally express and articulate the heart wrenching truth of this film: he is “tired.”
Indeed, almost everyone in this film is “tired” in some way. The two brother-gangster team, Sang-Gon and Whi-Gon, become “tired” of being treated disrespectfully. They take action. Jong-Soo, Gang Chul’s friend, outgrows the protection of his father (Song Young-Chang) years after an upsetting childhood tragedy. He takes action. Even the other mother to son dynamic, as portrayed by the cold gangster boss (Shin Jung-Keun), and his mother, is also relevant here. His mother, seemingly, is “tired” of the violence and takes action as well. Being “tough as iron” in this film does not revolve around physical triumphs; being “tough” is what happens when people become “tired.” Our young hero fights so hard, for so long. There are really poignant moments between Gang-Chul and his mother that can move a viewer to tears. There is also such a heavy concentration of violence in one moment that leaves one asking, “How much can one person take?” Throughout the film, Gang-Chul is fighting for his life and those in it. Now, the question is, should you see it? There are parts of the film that feel rather long. The title also suggests that there is an overwhelming amount of action, which I think is a bit of a stretch when considering the quantity and quality of stylized violence in other films. Needless to say, TOUGH AS IRON does a fine job of wrestling with hope and loss. If you are looking for a good movie, it is something to consider.
TOUGH AS IRON is currently on show at AMC Loews Bay Terrace 6 (211-01 26th Ave., Flushing, NY). Many thanks to the two websites included below for providing assistance with the format of and the character names respectively in this review: http://www.wikihow.com/Sample/Movie-Review ; http://asianwiki.com/Tough_As_Iron
Alexis Fisher was born and raised in New Jersey. She attended Saint Timothy’s School for girls in Stevenson, Maryland and then continued her education at Princeton University. During her undergraduate career, Alexis Fisher majored in English, and minored in Women & Gender Studies and African American Studies. In regards to the Arts, Alexis is an aspiring writer and actress; she has acted in a few plays and has written a short story or two.