Is Handsome Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2022)

The Narrative Arc & Core Premise

Handsome, a standout production of 2022, meticulously weaves its narrative threads through the Comedy landscape, offering a cinematic experience that is as challenging as it is rewarding. The primary thematic concern of the film is an investigation into If you look at my face, I'm 100% a gangster! One day, he became the most handsome guy in the squad! Police officer 'No Mi Nam' is in the midst of a criminal investigation, and unlike his nice and gentle personality, he looks more like a gangster just by looking at his face. As the story unfolds, we are introduced to a world where the traditional boundaries of Comedy are tested.

The screenplay takes its time to establish the stakes, ensuring that every character motivation is grounded in a psychological reality. The synopsis only hints at the depth: "If you look at my face, I'm 100% a gangster! One day, he became the most handsome guy in the squad! Police officer 'No Mi Nam' is in the midst of a criminal investigation, and unlike his nice and gentle personality, he looks more like a gangster just by looking at his face. One day, he woke up a month after his surgery following an accident while stopping a fellow detective's fight. But, when he woke up, his face changed?! He became the most handsome guy in the world from being a gangster-like to 'No Mi Nam (handsome guy)'! 'No Mi Nam fell in love with narcissism, which seems to change the way others see him. After accepting his face, he became the biggest headache of the squad and ended up being pushed into a deep-dive investigation of a hair salon on the outskirts. A huge opportunity came to my ugly self! What's the result?"

Artistic Execution & Performance Study

A film's resonance is often dictated by the strength of its execution, both in front of and behind the camera. Despite the inherent talent of Shin Hyun-joon, the performance in Handsome feels somewhat constrained by a narrative framework that doesn't fully exploit their range. There are flashes of brilliance, but the overall impact is muted.

The direction by Kim Dong-wook is marked by a steady and professional hand. From a production standpoint, the film meets the high standards of modern industrial filmmaking. The sets are well-crafted, and the visual effects are integrated with a level of polish that ensures the viewer matches the director's intended level of immersion. While perhaps not groundbreaking, the execution is flawless. The pacing, over its 94 minute runtime, allows the audience to fully inhabit the space the director has created, making the eventual resolution feel deeply earned.

Critical Assessment: Why You Should Watch

Is Handsome truly worth your investment of time and attention? In an era of disposable content, this film makes a strong case for its existence. If you are a connoisseur of Comedy, then this is a worthwhile watch if you have a specific interest in the themes or the performers involved.

The film's ability to perfectly execute its genre requirements is why it has earned its 3.5/10 score. It speaks to a global audience while maintaining a distinct and unique voice, a balance that is notoriously difficult to achieve in the modern marketplace.

Philosophical Subtext & Directorial Vision

At a deeper level, Handsome explores the dichotomy of truth and perception. The 2022 audience is increasingly sophisticated, and Kim Dong-wook respects this by refusing to provide easy answers to the story's complex questions.

The philosophical underpinnings of the second and third acts suggest a narrative that is interested in more than just entertainment. It is an exploration of what it means to be human in an increasingly complex world.

Final Editorial Recommendation

Ultimately, Handsome is an interesting experiment that, while flawed, offers enough moments of creative spark to be worth a casual glance for the curious. Whether you are drawn to it by the star power of Shin Hyun-joon or the critical acclaim surrounding its release, Handsome is a film that demands to be seen on the largest screen possible.