Innocent Witness (2019)

Sensitive, optimistic and even cheerful. No spectacle, and yet the 2 hours somehow fly by.

"Innocent Witness" does not really want to serve any genre. (I assume, in Germany it would have at best as been shown in Television only. Significantly, the movie never made it to European cinemas. Yet, it was shown on the big screen in South Korea and was also shown throughout Asia and Australia. It actually won a whole series of respectable awards. On the list are 55th Baeksang Arts Awards, 39th Golden Cinema Film Festival, 40th Blue Dragon Film Awards, 6th Korean Film Producers Association Awards, 27th Korean Culture and Entertainment Awards and 39th Korean Association of Film Critics Awards ... Those various awards were given for the characteristically sensitive, emotional storytelling and presentation.

"Innocent Witness" isn't kitschy, it's calm. The story does neither live from driving tension nor offer any dazzling action, just a calm, unobtrusively touching story. The viewers spend a lot of time in the courtroom. However, Law & Order might very well form the framework, but this does not determine what the story is actually about: Communication and reciprocal understanding can only really succeed if you unconditionally focus on the personal world of others, not only your own. This is often forgotten because we think we can easily understand each other when your world and mine seem so similar. (As if we could simply take sameness of a life context for granted.) However, even life perspectives would be similar, this can still not be considered ´mutual understanding´ either. This is mere prejudice. That could work, often does, but doesn't necessarily have to. Most of the time it might fit, so there's rarely a reason to question my personal approach to the world.

"Innocent Witness" is provocative here, because the other person is a young girl with an autism spectrum disorder. In order to reach an understanding, the lawyer and everyone else have to get involved in the world of the protagonist and (arduously?) learn to understand the events and happenings from her perspective. The confrontation with the autistic worldview (in the service of the story quite strikingly, but effectively implemented) may seem crass for most people at first glance, but basically it only demands what we should actually get do in EVERY encounter with every person, with whom we exchange ideas. That is: get involved. Eventually, we are reluctant ... as long as it works otherwise even half-way and the misunderstandings don't catch up with us all too painfully at some point...

"Innocent Witness" pushes the audience to this realization with persistent, warm, quiet tones in a determined and consistent manner. At the beginning there is the girl's question: "Are you a good person?". In the end, the lawyer comes to the realization: "I want to be(come) a good person!" The movie portrays this process purposefully, but quite unspectacularly and without any particular cinematic originality. The gait is characterized by a loving grunt, like a basso continuo, which bathes the punchlines in a warm light and holds the story together on an emotional level. This, however, without wanting to be difficult or too serious. The lacrimal gland is not necessarily strained either. On the contrary, there is also room for a smile, for joy and a good mood.

In short, the essence of the KMovie is the wonderful dynamic between lawyer and witness. Up-and-coming talent Kim Hyang-gi shines in her role as an innocent, often for her autism bullied, young school-girl. Veteran Jung Woo-sung, on the other hand, as a once ambitious human rights lawyer, neither fish nor meat, still single at almost 40, who has gotten a bit off track and becomes seductive because he needs money for his father's Parkinson's treatment. They stumble a little awkwardly into their interpersonal encounter, each in their own way. Dealing with their own feelings and those of others is not their strength. Nevertheless, out of the given need to get involved, a peculiar friendly relationship develops slowly, quietly, subtly, sensitively and sustainably. Initially however, it is quite an ambivalent dynamic. The attorney's original intention is anything but pure at first, when he wants to vet the only witness who claims to have seen his client's murder. In his approach to the witness, he is only concerned with his case and the question of how seriously he must take the witness for the course of his case. The unexpectedly blossoming friendship has an unfair origin that gradually overshadows the encounters. Nevertheless... The two mimes of the protagonists as well as one or the other supporting role have well-earned all their awards, as they embody this dynamic magnificently.

Apparently, the mission of the movie is that people with disabilities are also people with dignity, who we should/must take seriously. Ultimately, however, the mission even goes beyond and demands respectful, serious encounters with EVERYONE - regardless of their origin or clothing, health restrictions or age. We usually avoid those who 'tick' differently, because it seems exhausting and inconvenient to really get involved with someone, e. g. to actually listen, to genuinely want to understand... because this sometimes requires having to question myself and my self-evident attitudes, assumptions and perspectives. It's easier to just take my own worldview for granted on the basis of prejudices as well as superficial encounter and project it onto those around me. Conversely, such an attitude can actually lead to my life becoming superficial... comfortable, pretty, nice and shiny maybe, but superficial...

So, this is a KMovie that plays a lot in the courtroom, but whose verdict on right and wrong is less about the actual legal case - it becomes a mere side issue. It is rather about demanding an honest verdict on our individual ways we interact with our fellow humans: Am I a good person? Am I really listening? Am I truly open to encounters? Are my priorities in life sincere?

"Innocent Witness" doesn't really serve any genre, and yet the story, told in all simplicity, is touching, optimistic and even cheerful. No spectacle, and yet the 2 hours somehow fly by.

Lire davantage

Lawyers are humans, too.

''Innocent witness'' is unexpectedly a very heart-warming movie. The beginning was painfully slow, but the second half when the main characters finally started interacting, was much much better.

The storyline was quite predictable, if I have to be frank. I won't spoil anything, but you'll probably guess what's gonna happen in the end.

I loved Soon Ho and Ji Woo's relationship. Soon Ho changed a lot throughout the movie and he changed in a good way. Ji Woo was my sunshine. My heart ached whenever someone laughed at her or made her feel bad (I swear, that friend of hers was horrible). The movie shows how awful people sometimes can be. It shows that, when we see someone different, we laugh at them. It's heartbraking because the movie shows the truth. It was very realistically written.

I also loved Soon Ho and Hee Jung scenes. They were actually pretty funny. Soon Ho and his father's relationship was also nice to watch. When his father told him that it's okay to bring a guy at home my heart melted. I mean, we don't often see such a nice parents, do we?

As for the acting, it was brilliant! Especially kudos to Kim Hyang Gi, she was amazing! The movie wouldn't have been such an enjoyable ride without her presence.

Overall, I do recommend ''Innocent Witness''. It's very slow at first, but the ending was amazing and it's worth seeing! The movie shows what is to be ''a good person'' and it tells an important message.

Enjoy!

Lire davantage

this is one of those slow burners, and they just talk, there's no action or thriller (totally different from what I thought it'd be)... but still I was never bored, their dialog was smooth and natural that I enjoyed listening to them.. overall, it was a feel good movie about humanity and trust?

Kim Hyang Gi was really amazing, she acted with her whole body, there was a scene where she had her feet tilted and her toes were moving, I mean, it was not the focus in your face "oh look she's being autistic" but like she was deep in her role just unconscionably moving?...

Lire davantage

After reading the summary you might think that this could be a dark theme mystery-drama, but there is not much mystery on this. The movie shows us that as a human, we should treat others as human regardless.

I like the plot, the moral values, the quotes and especially the acting. Every scene is just making me wonder how the characters would act. It is very heart-touching. It didn't make me cry, but it made me smile seeing how the characters interact and sad seeing how bad this life could make people do.

Should definitely watch this if you're bored with romance and comedy films.

Lire davantage

Perfect Witness

This is a must watch movie by all means. The story and acting were both superb. Loved it from the beginning to the end. Kim Hyang Gi was a perfect 10, and Jung Woo Sung was a perfect match.
Despite the heart break moments, you will end up feeling nice about the turn of events, and connecting to the characters. Do not expect the typical drama, romance, or crime stories, but prepare yourself to watch a very heartwarming story. And spare a 2 hour movie night for this one, because once you start, you will keep watching till the very end. A brave risk from Production and the Director indeed, to take on a risk of no-typical appealing dramas, and produce a very good movie that is tender and memorable.

Lire davantage

Ahjussi(아저씨) is a good person.

Before the review, I just want to say that this fim has a special place in my heart. Having a little brother simikar to our main character, the sadness and tears from this film naturally came.
Story: the story was nothing mindblowing but was a good way to deliver the social messages, emotions, and experiences against people with disabilities.
Acting/Cast: let me start off with Kim Hyang Gi. Iam a bigggg fan of her therfire this might bias but she delivered her performance so well it was mindblowing. The acting as a person with disabilities was not over the top and was pleasent to watch while still delivered the overall theme. Jeong Woo Seong was as always a great veteran actor and a perfect fit. He delivered the complexety of the cruel and practical Lawyer to someone empathetic and sentimental. Our main antagonist also delivers a good performance, she wasn't entirely an pure evil one but my hatred for her was off the roof.
Music: I was either not paying attention or the music is forgettable. The soundtrack did not come at right times and was saved by the actor's performances
Rewatch Value: I will rewatch this because of a few reasons:
1. SOLID CAST AND ACTING PERFORMANCE
2. As said at the start, it has a special place in my heart
3. It was a wonderful conclusion
Overall: it's a light watch, where you don't need to focus too much on details but will still get the grasp of the film. It has humor, family love, and mystery throughout but gets emotional as it progress. My verdict is its a fun watch and something anyone can watch and enjoy, highly recommended!

Lire davantage

It was such a beautiful story. I had been putting it off for so long but today I was finally able to watch it and wholesomely enjoyed it.
In my opinion, this story has the potential to make you reflect upon your inner self and make you feel your inner goodness.
In my lifetime, I have came across a couple of specially-abled people and to my utter pleasure I am also able to help one.
The moment we think that the God is unjust in their case, we should hang on a minute and actually try to understand them. That's when we'll realize that when the God took away something from them, he also provides then with other special abilities. That thing was beautifully highlighted in this movie.

The cast for the girl portrayed the character really well. I was really impressed.
But to be honest, the 'mystery' story could have been a little better (just a little bit) but it's fine as I think the production team wanted to highlight the life of the main female protagonist and people like her.

In short, A MUST WATCH.

- Maaya

Lire davantage

Beautiful movie with strong writing and great acting

Loved everything about this movie. I looked it up because I was so impressed by Extraordinary Attorney Woo and this was the only other thing the writer had written, and I was not disappointed. They are not similar stories and this is not a younger Woo Young Woo, but the writer has a deft, sensitive and thorough hand with how she writes her characters and the plots they're in, and this movie is a lovely piece of work.

Ji Woo is her very own character and there is something lovely about how she is not a foil to any other character around her, she's a whole person with her very own personality and beliefs and strength and she isn't there to just provide character growth for the male lead. Kim Hyang Gi was great, as was Jung Woo Sung, whose partly jaded but mostly trying to find his path Soon Ho grew in the most mature way. I liked the cleverness of the plot, the nuanced touches of reality between the mains and all the secondary characters. Also, it's always a pleasure to see Jang Young Nam and Lee Kyu Hyung, they never disappoint.

Lire davantage

Inspiring human court drama -- powerful and moving performances

This film has moved me. It was slow...but it was good—really good. It didn't had that so much thrilling aspect, but it was very smooth and engaging that I wasn't bored over the course of 2 hours. At first, I thought it was trying to be a thriller and full of action kind-of-movie, but I was glad that it turned out to be simple—predictable but awesome on its own.

Even though it's outer shell told us a law, court story, it was about reigniting your passion, redirecting your ways, finding back yourself, being good, being better, and no matter how hard it is in your life—you try and try. This is a very good film. I really enjoyed all throughout especially with its subtle messages.

If I am going to rate its storytelling, I'll give solid 9. As for the acting, 9.5 - 10 as the acting of the actors were natural and raw. I felt them. And for the cinematography and directing, I'll give a 10.

But as a whole, if I'll add my own experience into the account of my rating, I'll gladly give 10stars, because, it was just a beautiful experience. Not boring a bit despite not having the thrills, and very inspiring at its goes through the end. Highly recommended for people who enjoys slow and humane films.

Lire davantage

who is innocent in this world ?

Innocent Witness is a wonderful movie with a beautiful message. I was overwhelmed at the end because it questions the human beings who think they are normal and every other human being with any shortcomings, diseases, or specialty is abnormal. But they forget one thing normal humans had the ability to lie and commit crimes.

The director, producer, and writer made a beautiful film and focused on the prejudice of society toward autism. Because they are always considered to be abnormal and not fit for the world.

Innocent Witness foretells that the prosecution arrested a housekeeper on the charges of murder, solely on the basis of a witness statement. The defense lawyer tries hard to get the correct information but he had his biased opinion that witnesses may have perceived the murder events wrongly because normal people also make mistakes. Maybe because he wanted to win the case but finally he realized the special skills of Kim Ji Woo and understood her statements. Becoming a man of justice and not just a winning lawyer.

Jung Woo Sung and Kim Hyang Gi nailed her character on the spot! The combined synergy between these two characters was just heart-warming and loved the pace and build-up to the solving of the case.

The only flaw for me was the prosecution part they didn’t really work hard to prove the guilty not just rely upon one witness. They should have gone to prove the motive and other basics. The writer may have left this to show the non-effort of the prosecution which contrasted with the defense attorney who gives time and effort to his cases.

Lire davantage

I may have said that E.X.I.T is the best movie I’ve seen so far, but this movie brings up much feels. Kim Hyang Gi acting as a girl with autism is super surprising but it turns out very excellent. Although, the storyline might be a little predictable, this movie is amazing. Truly amazing.

It started off fresh with all the bright colored things around, but from the middle til the end of the movie, it shows us how life couldn’t always be sunshines and rainbows. This could be those movies that could make someone else realize how they should not differentiate others just by their physical or mental appearance. Because it turns out everybody is special in their own ways.

Kudos to all the directors, writers, actors and actresses, especially to Kim Hyang Gi and Jung Woo Sung! 100000/10 ⭐️

Lire davantage

sometime its very difficult to understand normal people around you and in case of specially-abled its by far to understand them Not because the specially-abled are not understandable. Understanding or interacting with them is a challenge, And we the lazy people of today who make tea in electronic machine and taken air from air condition instead of traditional way .

challenge ! is not to understand them . challenge is that we don't accept their existence .

whenever we cross the path of specially-abled people we ignore it we ignore their existence so we can't communicate them or we don't know how to communicate with them

movie: for me Male Lead the lawyer and Female Lead the witness communication is worth to watch i wish they could have more moments funny lovely and rest is ignorable in this movie

Lire davantage