Too Beautiful to Lie (2004)

Such a frustrating disappointment

Strong and Moving!

After playing with our expectations, this turns out to be a very different sort of film.

This is one of the best movies I’ve seen in a very long time. You have to go and see this on the big screen.

I'm unsure why, but it appears every second South Korean film I watch now-a-days, happens to star the always entertaining Kim Ha-Neul: either, I'm subconsciously drawn to Ms. Ha-Neul's talent, or, Ms. Ha-Neul appears in a wealth of varying genres. Once labelled the queen of comedy, though I am unable to confirm or deny if such a title does Ms. Ha-Neul justice, I am able to articulate how she is certainly the queen of facial expressions (reflective of the Blu-Ray's cover), employing a wealth of over-exaggerated and unrealistic facial gestures. These fantastically bolster the humorous climate and demonstrate the emotions she's currently exhibiting, her expressions matching perfectly with the overall feel of the movie.Ju Yeong-Ju (Ha-Neul), through her impeccable skills of deceit, successfully achieves parole, and with her new found freedom, aims to attend her sister's wedding. Choi Hee-Cheol (Gang Dong-Won), a pharmacist, hoping to propose to his paramour, inadvertently triggers a conflict with Yeong-Ju whilst on the train. When a thief snatches his ring, Yeong-Ju fears she will be suspected. Not wanting to return to prison, she reacquires the ring, and through much personal difficulty, manages to locate Hee-Cheol's familial residence to give back what belongs to him.Song Jae-Ho is especially terrific as Hee-Cheol's father, exerting authority and compassion in equal measure, while Kim Je-Yeong as Hee-Cheol's grandmother, is as sweet as she is humorous. Other cast members, including Lim Ha-Ryong and Lee Young-Eun are just as adept in their roles, the cast in total generating a family as entertaining as they are charmingly lovable, and, in some instances, peculiar.Unable to confess the truth, Yeong-Ju unfortunately triggers a series of alarmingly hilarious situations that result in the family suspecting that she is in fact Hee-Cheol's fiancé. Upon been forced home, Hee-Cheol is forced to conform to the inconvenient information Yeong-Ju has fabricated. Though initially likable, for much of the film, Yeong-Ju presents himself as a pretentiously arrogant young man, so it is no surprise when his family reveals greater appreciation for the stranger they've let into their lives.What follows is a series of incidents, many of which are even stranger than the next, Yeong-Ju and Hee-Cheol discovering much about each other over the short time period. However, in pretending to be Hee-Cheol's lover, has Yeong-Ju begun to exhibit actual feelings towards the man whose life she's invaded? Although stereotypically similar, on occasion, to other South Korean comedies, in not only tone, but characterization (the unlikable male who exhibits change, the lovable woman that changes his perspective, the emotional connection exhibited between friends, etc), the film exaggerates almost every portion of the narrative to create a story so unbelievable, it's surprising everything works so brilliantly. Ms. Ha-Neul shines in this feature, exhibiting, with much professionalism, more emotions than anyone could possibly hope to name, to create a character that nobody can ignore. If this is the kind of comedy Ms. Ha-Neul stars in, I'd very much like to view the other humorous features she's credited for.

A very well thought out story that lacks some depth, but the point of the movie is to entertain and not provoke thought. Kim Ha-Neul IS the movie, her facial expressions and acting within the confines of the situations provided is pretty much the whole movie. She is sassy, mean, but also classy and very cute. I recommend My tutor friend and of course My Sassy girl if you like this movie. They are romantic comedies with a slight touch of drama. It gets kind of cheesy at times. The jokes are good and the portrayal of the countryside family is great. 8/10 just because I know there are better movies of the same type and with the same kind of characters. If you like Kim Ha-Neul you would probably also like Jeon Ji-Hyun movies.

First let me start by saying that two comments for this movie are far too less. This movie deserves more recognition. I'm lucky to have seen it.There are comparisons to make between this movie and My sassy girl. A movie that was even better than this one. An other reviewer also mentioned My tutor friend. I also have that movie (but still have to see it) and i'm sure it's a great movie too because Korean romantic comedy's are really good. A great difference with American romantic comedy's is that in Korean films the two leading persons create such a great atmosphere. It even isn't necessary for the person in love to kiss to see that they are in love. What rarely happens in Korean romantic comedy's.

I like this movie very much actually, even though it is a quite predictable, sappy, commercial comedy. The jokes do work out well (a major achievement for this kind of film) and the portrayal of a Korean countryside family is simply hilarious.I was surprised to see that this movie did not do as well at the Korean box office as My Tutor Friend as that movie is similar to this one (the lead actress is the same as well). In fact, I think that this movie is even better.All in all, a very well made movie. If you are looking for a night of laughs with your family go check this out! If you are looking for more depth, yes there are better films around, but Don't Believe Her/Too Beautiful To Lie (why does it have two titles??) can definitely compete with many of them.8/10