"Depression and anger gave way to blinding rage at my powerlessness over the unfair whims of men"
This month I saw two movies where the lead role was played by Jessica Chastain - terrific Miss Sloane and entertaining Molly's Game. Chastain was Golden Globe nominated for both, missed the Oscar nomination last year and who knows if she makes it next week. I decided to do a double post feature on them, because while it's Molly's Game that is getting attention right now it's a shame Miss Sloane, a much better movie, didn't get the spotlight last year.
The Handmaiden is based on the novel "Fingersmith" by Sarah Waters The novel is set in London during the 19th century, but
the film is set in Korea in the 1930s, under Japanese colonial rule. The pickpocket Sook-Hee (Tae-ri Kim) is hired by the Japanese heiress Lady
Hideko to be her personal servant. Hideko is supported by her Uncle
Kouzuki and the gold-digger "Count Fujiwara", who is indeed son of
peasants, wants to marry her to steal her inheritance. Sook-Hee is a
small-time thief of the ring of the conman "Count Fujiwara" and is sent
to help him in the confidence game. But soon Hideko and Sook-Hee get
close to each other and become lovers.
Three years ago James Wan gave us one of the best horror movies in recent years in The Conjuring which introduced us to new horror heroes Lorraine and Ed Warren, gave us the spin off in Annabelle and got everyone afraid of the clapping sound. And now Wan and the main characters return in The Conjuring 2, a film that, while only slightly, is actually better than the predecessor.
