MY SASSY GIRL

The Korean hit film, My Sassy Girl, has put a twist on romantic comedies. Most romantic comedies have pretty straightforward storylines that require little if any actual thinking. Generally speaking, Hollywood went through a romantic comedy phase in the late 90’s, putting out such classic teen comedies as 10 Things I Hate About You and Whatever It Takes. Hollywood would use sub pare plots that would be sufficiently entertaining to the general public, allowing for a large fan base to arise. My Sassy Girl was a much more complex romantic comedy than those seen in the states. The entire movie revolved around a sassy, “drunk” girl who is never given a name and young male counterpart named Gyun-Woo. The sassy young woman at the beginning of the film was very demanding, carrying herself with a powerful presence. She was almost a bully to Gyun-Woo always making him do things he didn't necessarily want to do. What really maked this comedy hysterical at times was due to Gyun-Woo’s facial expressions. His expressions were so unique for specific moments that the audience couldn’t help but crack a smile. The most ridiculous but quite hilarious moment of the movie was when Gyun-Woo and the sassy young lady played racquetball and the ball always hit Gyun-Woo in the face. It wasn't just the fact that the racquetball kept hitting him in the face but his response to the incident both physically and verbally. However, as the movie progressed and the relationship between the two main characters matured the film took a drastic turn. It quickly shifted from light slapstick playfulness to deep emotional heartache. This type of dynamic twist really sets it apart from most romantic comedies seen today.