The Scarlet Letter offers a story of deception, betrayal and love revolving around three people, two of whom are married. The third spoke in the wheel is having an affair with the other’s husband, a Captain of the local police force, and thus a little triangle is formed. Three is the magic number, naturally.

Ki-hoon Lee is currently tasked with solving a brutal murder of the owner of a photographic studio, who was bludgened to death. With no evidence of a weapon, and with no other witnesses, the only person suspected is the wife. It also turns out the husband recently took out some insurance for half a million which would go to the wife, in the event of his premature departure.

Ka-hee and Ki-hoon were friends before they both met Su-hyun, who eventually married Ki-hoon. The affairs of the heart, it seems, are not so black and white and although he enjoys his affiar with Ka-hee, Ki-hoon still convinces himself that he loves Syun-he (his wife) and that she loves him back.

Unaware that she already suspects the two are sleeping with each other, he tip toes around like the slimey bastard that he is, stroking his hair so often you’d think he was masturbating it. Ka-hee’s jealously steadily starts to become uncotrollable, and Su-hyun’s obvious understanding of the situation all the more unbearable for her. Thinking with only the brain between his legs, Ki-hoon is unaware of the hand fate will deal him, and the the secretive past his wife has lead which will eventually result in tragedy for the three of them.

The Scarlet Letter is a strange film, because I personally couldn’t find or figure out what the title meant. There’s a reference towards the end, that it’s from some Korean story, but it’s relevance was missed on me. Negating this, the film itself is actually a pretty good melodrama, that eventually turns horrifc towards the end.

Although it begins as an investigation into a murder, the real focus is the relationship and revelations between the three friends. All of them are hiding secrets, all of which are not revealed to anyone but the viewer. The murder that took place has relevance in that it serves as a parallel example of what is happening in the relationship between the three. People marrying those they don’t really desire, and those they desire not wanting to let go.

Very much a story focused on human tragedy, The Scarlet Letter offers believable characters and some really good performances, in particular the brilliant schizophrenic moments in tbe boot of the car. Ki-hoon is such a simple man really, who doesn’t know arse from his elbow. He thinks by ignoring a situation in his personal life he can resolve, and what he thinks is the problem is anything but. He’s naive, and fill of himself, and the complete and utter oppisite of his submissive and docile wife. That’s probably what draws his character to Ka-hee who’s wild and just as compulsive as Ki-hoon.

Direction is pretty good for the most part, with some scenes that do lag a little and force a yawn, but in general it’s methodical, well paced and does well at capturing the most important moments, from sentimental rejection to unforgiving guilt. I thought the lusty sex scenes were pretty amusing, but it’s a step in the right direction. Frankly I find all simulated sex scenes amusing, so this doesn’t do anything out of the norm in that sense.

Try to contain your laughter at seeing a Korean sing an English pop song as she throws in lisps left right and centre. It’s meant to provide the “nightclub, solo singer surrounded by customers” feel, but it comes across as cringe worthy cheese, and the song is cheese wrapped in cheese. That was probably the worst moment in the film for me, so I’d recommend skipping it.

In all, The Scarlet Letter doesn’t win many points as a thriller as it is sold, but more on a datal love affair that has no happy ending. The ending is actually pretty violent, and anarchic but it’s great. There is a flaw in one of the sccenes where an event takes place that happens in the daylight in one scene, and nightime in another, but don’t quite match. I don’t think anyone will notice anyway, as it’s too much fun watching Ki-hoon turn into a bloody (literally) sick loon.

Verdict: A good, solid romantic melodrama with some murder and death thrown in