[yasr_overall_rating]
A man is on his way home when the poorly constructed tunnel he is driving through collapses, leaving him trapped.
Jung-soo, an ordinary car salesman finds himself in a most extraordinary event when the tunnel he’s driving through collapses, trapping him. Nothing is around him but wreckage and all he has is 78% of his phone battery, two bottles of water, and his daughter’s birthday cake.
The initial news throws South Korea into a frenzy and makes Jung-soo a media darling. But once his phone dies, and the days and weeks start to drag on, people begin to lose interest. To top it off, the rescue effort is interfering with the opening of a new tunnel nearby, and public opinion becomes divided over the expensive, complex rescue operation that seems doomed to fail, and is causing nasty traffic back-ups.
A fantastic and fascinating take (in the vein of “The Host” and “Train to Busan”) about the role of the media in shaping public opinion, the perceived ineptitude of the South Korean government, and the true character of the general public, this is a disaster film like no other.
This film is great in its pacing, it never feels dull or boring, although the story revolves around the struggle of Lee. The movie is designed to keep you focused on what is happening and what is said. I think that the script is very solid as a story, capable of resonating with anyone who has ever driven a car. The movie doesn’t wait long to get into the main aspect which is him being trapped in the tunnel. This allows for the drastic nature and trapped feeling of the Lee plight to take effect instantly as the viewer watches. This is a different way of narrowing the viewer’s mind to feel for Lee’s Journey.
Other subplot aspects that compose the mise-en-scène of the film outside of Lee, are very well composed also. Aspects such as the media, the minister of a company called K corporation, as well as Lee’s wife. Each of theses subplots argue questions of perspective. The government wants him rescued and no question asked as to why the tunnel fell. They are focused on how they can get the New Hado City tunnels completed to open the new city for use. His wife just wants her husband home safe. The Corporation who built the tunnel wants the public to move on to another subject so they can continue building another tunnel nearby. They are more concerned with what is being lost then what is gained by them seeking to rescue him.
This is a great film to watch. It has amazing writing and moments that make you question your personal choices if you were in this situation. It is very similar to movies like “127 Hours,” “Gravity,” and the 2015 film “The 33.” As the movie argues over the worth of a life, Lee battles a different question of hope and faith. He takes it upon the word of the man he has never met that he should not give up when he finds a way to contact the outside world. His question is about how far hope can take you when the task is simply to survive with nothing but it. At times the film makes you question who is morally right and morally wrong in situations like this. It brings a great level of understanding about the social world we live in and everyone’s interest when something that requires humanitarian effort arises.
In theaters August 26th
