Barking Dogs Never Bite (2000)
Director: Bong Joon-ho
Stars: Donna Bae, Lee Sung-jae, Kim Ho-jungRuntime: minutes
Synopsis: An idle part-time college lecturer is annoyed by the yapping sound of a nearby dog. He decides to take drastic action.
Performances: 8/10
Screenplay: 7/10
Editing: 8/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 6/10
Screenplay: 7/10
Editing: 8/10
Cinematography: 7/10
Score/Soundtrack: 6/10
Verdict: Dog lovers, look away! Bong Joon-ho's directorial debut is a dark comedy that nearly entirely takes place in one building and in which a resident, after getting irritated by the barking of one of his neighbor's dogs, decides to kidnap it and, well, let's just say that bad things start happening to it and maybe a few other canines.
"Barking Dogs Never Bite" is not my favorite entry in the Korean filmmaker's filmography, but it's still a movie I found myself enjoying much more than I was expecting to, especially after the initial few minutes that got me a little worried about the direction in which the plot was going. The narrative, which serves as a satire of a famous story told in East Asia, is filled with interesting characters, mostly all evil with the exception of Hyun-nam, beautifully portrayed by the talented Doona Bae, and they're all easily the reason why I found myself invested in it. As you'd expect for a Bong Joon-ho project, the film is also constructed around social themes that will make you look at it beyond what it offers on the surface.
"Barking Dogs Never Bite" may be Bong's directorial debut, but it never feels as such. Aside from a few shots that do emit a feeling of experimentation and a couple of conveniences in its story-telling aspect, it's a solidly put together, often hilarious satire that definitely is worth checking out, assuming that imagery of dogs being mistreated don't disturb you.
"Barking Dogs Never Bite" is not my favorite entry in the Korean filmmaker's filmography, but it's still a movie I found myself enjoying much more than I was expecting to, especially after the initial few minutes that got me a little worried about the direction in which the plot was going. The narrative, which serves as a satire of a famous story told in East Asia, is filled with interesting characters, mostly all evil with the exception of Hyun-nam, beautifully portrayed by the talented Doona Bae, and they're all easily the reason why I found myself invested in it. As you'd expect for a Bong Joon-ho project, the film is also constructed around social themes that will make you look at it beyond what it offers on the surface.
"Barking Dogs Never Bite" may be Bong's directorial debut, but it never feels as such. Aside from a few shots that do emit a feeling of experimentation and a couple of conveniences in its story-telling aspect, it's a solidly put together, often hilarious satire that definitely is worth checking out, assuming that imagery of dogs being mistreated don't disturb you.
FINAL GRADE: 7/10
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