Hong Kong FilMart

His Last Gift

 (South Korea)

By RUSSELL EDWARDS

A Taewon Entertainment production. (International sales: Showbox/Mediaplex, Seoul.) Produced by Jeong Tae-weon. Executive producer, Tae Jung-ho. Directed by Kim Young-joon. Screenplay, Bom Eui-hwan, based on a TV drama; adaptation, Choi Jin-ho, Kim Tae-gwan, Kim Seon-mi.
 
With: Shin Hyeon-jun, Heo Jun-ho, Ha Ji-weon, Gweon Oh-jung, Jo Su-min, Kim Hyeon-ah, Kim Sang-ho, Gi Ju-bong, Kim Myeong-guk.
 

A cop attempts to save his dying daughter's life by arranging an organ transplant from a hardened criminal in the engaging, if odd, South Korean meller "His Last Gift." Moving on from big-budget swordplay outings "Bichunmoo" and "Shadowless Sword," helmer Kim Young-joon negotiates improbable plot twists with surprising dexterity. On release in early February, pic failed to duplicate the popularity of the original TV production despite convincing perfs. Melodrama-friendly Asian markets offer the best possibilities, as most Asia-themed fests, with their narrow penchant for action genres, may pass.

After his 7-year-old daughter Seo-heui (Jo Su-min) falls seriously ill, widowed cop Jo Yeong-woo (Heo Jun-ho) arranges for the early prison release of murderer Gang Tae-ju (Shin Hyeon-jun), as he's known to have a compatible liver. Early on, attempts by Jo to force his prisoner to adopt a healthier daily regimen and a better attitude feel like misfiring comedy, but the unfolding story makes daring narrative leaps that, in context, carry some emotional clout. Central perfs are smartly balanced, though actress Ha Ji-weon is underused in flashbacks as the girl's dead mother. Tech package is up to usual South Korean high standards.

Camera (color, widescreen), Seo Geun-heui; editor, Nam Na-yeong; music, Kim Jun-seon; art directors, Weon Yeo-jeong, Gang Jeong-hwa, Seo Eun-jin, Heo Jun-hwi; costume designer, Kim Min-heui. Reviewed at Hong Kong FilMart, March 17, 2008. Original title: Majimak seonmul ... gwihyu. Running time: 101 MIN.