Reviews

King and the Clown

A perfect blend of comedy and tragedy

By BRETT MICHEL | January 17, 2007

3.0 Stars

Based on the popular play Yi, Lee Jun-ik’s sumptuous King and the Clown (Korea’s nominee for the 2006 Best Foreign Language Film Oscar) mines the exhaustive diaries of the Chosun Dynasty for inspiration in depicting its tyrannical 16th-century despot. With a blend of comedy and tragedy, Lee’s drama layers Shakespearean elements with a progressive gay subtext. Two traveling performers, “Captain” Jang-seng (Kam Woo-seong) and androgynous Gong-gil (Lee Jun-gi), share a fearless quality with the Parks as they mock the court of King Yon-sang (Jeong Jin-yeong), blindly risking everything for their art, and each other.

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[ 05/26 ] "A Natural Order," photographs by Lucas Foglia @ David Winton Bell Gallery

[ 05/26 ] George Orwell's 1984, adapted by Nick Lane @ Gamm Theatre

[ 05/26 ] "2012 RISD Graduate Thesis Exhibition" @ Rhode Island Convention Center

ARTICLES BY BRETT MICHEL

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Filled with Indian (and British) clichés, it is nonetheless a pleasant diversion that doesn't involve special effects or 3D glasses.

REVIEW: BLUE LIKE JAZZ | April 12, 2012
A faith-based film directed by Christian recording artist Steve Taylor, adapted by Taylor and Donald Miller from the latter's 2003 memoir, this micro-budgeted indie tries to appeal to everyone by not offending anyone . . . except those who like movies.

REVIEW: JIRO DREAMS OF SUSHI | April 04, 2012
Eighty-five-year-old Jiro, with his unchanging expression and bald pate, resembles a wizened turtle. Leaving home at age 9 and forced to fend for himself, he would become the world's greatest sushi chef.