Synopsis
In the early 1980s, South Korea is torn by student protests over the lack of representation in the government. Song Woo-Seok is a successful attorney in Busan specializing in tax law. His views regarding civil liberties are changed by student activist Park Jin-woo. When Jin-Woo is brutally tortured and put on trial for his activism, Woo-seok decides to defend Jin-woo as his client.
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Cast
- Song Kang-hoSong Woo-seok
- Kim Yeong-aeChoi Sun-ae
- Oh Dal-suPark Dong-ho
- Yim Si-wanPark Jin-woo
- Kwak Do-wonCha Dong-yeong
- Jo Min-kiKang Byeong-chul
- Song Young-changLee Seok-ju
- Lee Sung-minLee Yoon-taek
- Jung Won-joongKim Sang-pil
- Lee Hang-naJang Soo-kyeong
Recommendations
- 75
Washington Post
The Attorney can be melodramatic, and first-time feature director Yang Woo-seok is not yet a singular filmmaker. But the movie is carried by its rousing pro- democracy message and a lively performance from the versatile leading man. - 70
The Dissolve
An inspired-by-real-events drama that finds honor, decency, and sacrifice in the legal profession, The Attorney is a rousing old-Hollywood tale of one man risking everything for a just cause. - 70
Variety
The pacing gradually accelerates after a leisurely first act, so that The Attorney easily sustains interest, and often stirs emotions. - 50
The Playlist
The narrative may hit all the markers, but its transparent attempts to wring emotion fail to move. - 50
The New York Times
Mr. Song puts his usual big heart into the character, though there aren’t many layers or nuances to the drama. Every scene does its job, tears flowing on cue. - 50
The Hollywood Reporter
Despite its shameless manipulations and unsubtle approach, it’s an ambitious and well-intentioned feature debut from a director whose future efforts bear attention. - 40
Los Angeles Times
The Attorney is on the side of justice, but it's a ham-fisted dramatization of real-life events that mistakes anger for persuasion.
