Cinetvcontest #139......When the phone rings (review)

When it comes to binge watching movies, count me in as long as there's enough soda, popcorn and a warm big blanket, hehe.

The one thing that discourages me from binge watching most tv shows is their length and that's why I wait until a TV show is completed before I start watching it.

For this week's prompt, I'll be reviewing a movie I watched early this year. The movie was released in November and completed in January. I waited for the movie to be completed and then off I went to binge watch it.

This movie is titled When the phone rings. It is a Modern style Korean drama series that centers around suspicion, twists, thrills, romance and secrets.

I was initially attracted by the image of the lead actor *Yoo Yeon-seok, who looks almost identical to Lee Min-ho (my ex crush by the way) but while watching the movie,I discovered that they were different actors.

Synopsis

When the phone rings begins with a threat call to a highly respected Presidential Spokesperson, Paik Sa-eon, about the kidnap of his mute wife, Hong Hee-joo. He found it difficult to believe because he never revealed his wife's identity yet he kicked off a secret investigation.

The phone number of the kidnapper ended with 406 and that became the number of the unknown kidnapper. Unknown to him, Hee+-joo had secured the kidnapper's phone because she found out that it was untraceable and she began to use the phone to make a series of phone calls to her husband whenever he was not at home.

The series of phone calls irritates her husband who tries all he can to get to the bottom of things whilst running a revenge plan against his parents, unknown to anyone. It turns out that the parents he had grown up with were not his biological parents and he was a substitute for their psychopathic son, who murdered a little boy when he was a child.

Also, his so called grandfather was actually his biological father and he never knew his biological mother…..so sad.

Paik Sa-eon had since resented his life but he didn't expect for an arranged marriage to be set up for him and Hee-joo. He loves her and wants to protect her but he thinks keeping his distance from her was the right way.

More twists and turns unfold and finally, the entire nation learns the truth of the Paik family and their atrocities. He faked his death and went on a secret mission to a war zone country. Hee-joo, left behind and missing her husband, begins to follow little clues until finally they reunite and rekindle their love.

The movie ends with the couple celebrating with their close friends and colleagues.

My review

This movie got me rooted to my seat and my eyes glued to my screen from the very first episode. The acting and cooperation of the actors were clearly expressed. The right emotions for each scene were also reflected by the actors and this made the movie an enjoyable one.

With only 12 episodes,I wished for it not to end. There were episodes where I shed tears because of how emotional those scenes were.

One of such scenes was when Hong Hee-joo was pushed off a cliff and I 6thought she had lost her life but surprisingly, she survived with minor injuries. That scene was actually the part that brought the couple closer. She stopped acting mute and he stopped being distant.

What I liked and disliked

I liked the cast chosen for the Minnie as they all interpreted their roles excellently. I liked the way the plot unfolded in stages. Just when you think you have gotten the plot, there comes a twist to sweep you off your feet. The cinematography was on point and the production was great.

What I might have disliked was the initial attitude of Paik Sa-eon when he asked the kidnapper to show proof with his wife's corpse. That was heart breaking but I moved from it to enjoy the rest of the movie.

What I learnt

Silence is not golden in certain situations. The voice is the most powerful tool of defense and to turn the tables. Most of the traumas the couple faced would have been avoided if they'd simply talked it out.

In all, the movie was great and so worth my time. I happily rate this movie a 9/10.

Looking for a movie to binge-watch this weekend? This movie is my recommendation.

Thanks for reading.

Images are screenshots.