THE HANDMAIDEN

(2016) It's pretty universally acknowledged that some of the best films made today are coming out of South Korea.  The Handmaiden, receiving rave reviews across the board from critics and audiences alike, is a prime example: in 1930's Korea, during the Japanese occupation, an heiress of Japanese descent living with her (possibly sexually) abusive uncle, Lady Hideko (Kim Min-hee) - who has never stepped from her extravagant home in the country since arriving as a child - hires a new handmaiden, Sook-Hee (Kim Tae-ri), a poor girl whose never known such opulence, and the two women become close quickly.  But things aren't what they seem - nor, indeed, are people (boy, is THAT an understatement), and as the twists and turns and true motivations become apparent, amidst it all something happens that no one involved could have foreseen: the lady and her handmaiden falling in love.  Highly erotic and acted to perfection, The Handmaiden is an intricate puzzle that - just when you think you know where it's going - goes upside your head with another twist, sending the film in a wholly different direction.  Directed by the one and only Park Chan-wook (Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, Thirst), The Handmaiden is one of those few "instant classics" that actually deserves the title.  (not rated) 8/10 stars