Oooo, a stolen election; where have I heard that one before? Oh, wait. This election really was stolen? It wasn’t like a infantile baby-man whined until violence happened, then took his democracy and went home? Awww. That’s not-as-fun … and a little dispiriting considering MAGA and QAnon have no problem using fiction as evidence.
The focal point is representative Jeon Hae-woong (Cho Jin-woong) as he vies for a political seat. He will win, of course, because he’s backed by his party, which guarantees victory in this local race. Suddenly, king-making influential businessman Kwon Soon-tae (Lee Sung-min) says they’re going in a different direction. So, Hae-woong throws caution and morals to the wind, running as an independent and taking on the businessman.
This is, of course, a Korean-sized problem – how does an independent win a fair election in a gerrymandered county? He can’t. So how will Hae-woong compete? I’ll give you three guesses. [Hint: Note the title of the film.]
Our “hero” (for lack of a better word; this film is all about dirty deals and double crosses) vacillates between
corrupt and visionary. At times, we see him as exactly the person needed to rid the state of evil; at other times, we see him as yet another pawn who agreed to The Devil’s Deal. Thinkers will like that this is a more nuanced look at mob dealings – one less likely to involve a shooting and more likely to involve a new alliance; I found the lack of shooting comforting, and yet this film is marked by grandstanding. There’s way too much speechifyin’ here for my tastes.
The Devil’s Deal is a cynical film – one that truly believes all politics is dirty and politicians are only motivated by power. Gee, if that were the case, Democrats would win a lot more elections than they lose. Aside from that very teeth-gnashing version of politics, this is an adequate –if wordy- thriller. I’m not sold entirely, but I don’t have to imagine very hard to find an audience who is.
Does Satan care what you feel?
Or is the object to generate squeal?
Diabolic machinations
Have caused great frustrations
Yielding an exasperated, “What’s The Devil’s Deal?”
Not Rated, 116 Minutes
Director: Won-Tae Lee
Writer: Won-Tae Lee
Genre: The title wasn’t a big enough hint?
Type of being most likely to enjoy this film: Political and mafia junkies
Type of being least likely to enjoy this film: Anti-cynics
