Astrology
is totally bogus, so a faked or faulty astrology chart should be a
contradiction in terms. Yet, a bad reading could consign a Joseon princess to a
marriage of misery. Court official Seo Do-yoon is beyond such mistakes and
corruption, but some nefarious schemes are afoot in Hong Chang-pyo’s The Princess and the Matchmaker (trailer here), which opens this Friday in Los Angeles.
Princess
Songhwa has always had bad luck, but that is not her fault. In fact, we come to
learn she had “help” being so unlucky. However, the king is still rather
attached to her, even though he has never really done much to make her happy.
With a severe drought plaguing Joseon, the court astrologer decrees the
Princess should marry to bring balance to the kingdom. Basically, it will be an
open casting call, American Idol-style,
but court official Seo Do-yoon will chart the compatibility of the top eligible
bachelors. Frankly, we do not need astrological “pillars” to know they are a
pack of jackals.
The
princess is not inclined to sit idly while her fate is determined, so she
sneaks out of the palace hoping to visit the ten candidates incognito. Seo is
onto her immediately, but he contrives ways to accompany her as she makes her
visits unconvincingly disguised as a man, sort of in the tradition of
Shakespearean comedies. Of course, she will become attracted to him instead. However,
as the conspiracy to marry Songhwa off to the ambitious nobleman Yoon Shi-kyung
tightens around them, the film evolves into more of a romantic tragedy.
P&M is billed as a
historical romantic comedy, but the second half of the film is played largely
straight—and most viewers will be deeply invested in it by that point. Shim
Eun-kyung (the original Miss Granny)
is absolutely luminous and altogether winning as Princess Songhwa. She also
benefits from the achingly poignant scenes featuring her younger self. Yet, her
relationship with the king, played with dignified reserve by Kim Sang-kyung is surprisingly
nuanced and thoughtfully developed.
Frankly,
Lee Seung-gi is a bit bland as Seo, but Yeon Woo-jin and Choi Woo-sik are quite
sinister as the deceitful Yoon and the even more problematic suitor, Nam
Chi-ho. It should also be conceded Jo Bok-rae will eventually grow on viewers
as Gae-shi, the con man Seo busts, who evolves into his unlikely sidekick.
This
is the kind of bittersweet love story that will make Korean movie lovers feel
warm and happy inside. Despite a bit of shtick in the first act, its charm is
indomitable, perhaps even irrepressible. Recommended with a great deal of
affection, The Princess and the
Matchmaker opens this Friday (3/9) at the CGV Cinemas in LA and Buena Park,
as well as the Edgewater Multiplex in Jersey.
(Photo: CJ Entertainment)
(Photo: CJ Entertainment)