Technically brilliant movie about memory, love and superficiality. Well it deals with a lot of things, in a humouristical way. It is easy going and tries to raise some questions as well, but just don't take them too seriously.
Searching for the Elephant is jam packed with comedy, romance, sex, violence and a wee bit of despair. It wouldn't be too far off to mention Murakami Haruki in this context, actually come to think of it, it is quite apt. Though it is no "Tony Takitani".
I took me a little time to be able to separate the male protagonists because of the style of direction, even as they're quite different.
6.5 / 10 stars
Plot summary
The film depicts the hollow lives of affluent thirty-something young urban professionals in Seoul. The protagonists are three childhood friends, each struggling with a compulsion: schizophrenia, sex addiction, and infidelity. The revelation of their secrets exacerbates their sense of deprivation, and the three friends are inevitably led to a shocking finale when they learn that growing pains are not just distant memories of their youth.
Uploaded by: FREEMAN
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For Murakami fans
Intriguing
Maniac depression, sex addiction, hallucinations, the plot reveals that happen out of nowhere but makes sense relating to small scenes, stylistic camera, editing and vfx. All comes down to a kind of confused film but highly entertaining and thought-provoking. This could have been much better if details were given enough focus.
A personal film about urban schizophrenia
I had a chance to see "Searching for the Elephant" at a film festival. Unlike the energetiv responses from the festival audiences, I heard that the Korean audiences had mixed reviews. I think this movie was misunderstood by many. The writer/director of the film seems to have portrayed a very personal tale regarding the psychological state of his 30 something generation in Korea. Despite harsh criticisms from many, I was touched by "Searching for the Elephant"for its raw and imaginative sequences. In a sense this is a 'coming of age' story of Korean young adults who had refused to grow up in the age of economic prosperity. I give it 10/10 more for how the story was told rather than what it was about. I recommend it for Murakami Haruki readers.