Movie Digest
After losing a bet with Mr. Yong, Seong-hoon, who once desired to become a professional pool player, is now working a part-time job. His friend In-cheol requests to form a team one day so they can bet on more pool matches. As a result of their cohesiveness, the house chooses to sign them as players. The house manager, Ms. Kim, becomes interested in Seong-hoon after being seduced by his assurance and skillful play, but she soon realizes that he has feelings for his former pool partner, Seo-kyeong. To exact revenge on Seong-hoon, Ms. Kim decides to work with Mr. Yong, a former foe of Seong-hoon. Seong-hoon prepares for the final gamble, knowing his life is on the line.
The Feel-Good Part
The movie opens with a voice-over explanation of the game’s rules because the filmmakers assumed that moviegoers would not be familiar with the sport. It helps you understand the game played in the film.
The Disappointing Factor
The climax goes as expected, so the anticipation build-up is not much.
In-Depth Analysis
Billiards is the focus of the film. Even though a developing, uninteresting love story is happening in the background, the focus is on the pool table. The movie’s main structure is the six-ball game, and the middle part of the film consists of straight rail carom billiards competitions. Since the game is on a table without pockets, the movie cannot rely on the clichéd flash of balls pocketed one after another or multi-ball trick shots. Instead, emphasis is on a subtle single snap in which the cue ball deftly contacts the two object balls. Additionally, the film emphasizes the voyeurism and fetishism of women, whose cleavage and skin-tight miniskirts are featured almost as prominently as the pool table. The ending is skillfully performed, includes one jaw-dropping shot, and brings a satisfying conclusion to the movie.
Star Power
Hong Dal Pyo did a marvelous job with his character as Mr. Yong. He was an enduring and vicious on-screen antagonist.
Overall Opinion
This film is perfect for you if you enjoy billiards.
