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A Bittersweet Life (Director's Cut Edition) DVD

Format: DVD
4.1 out of 5 stars 330 ratings

Product details

  • Package Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 7.1 x 5.42 x 0.58 inches; 2.93 ounces
  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B000HAX8ZC
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.1 out of 5 stars 330 ratings

Customer reviews

4.1 out of 5 stars
330 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find this Korean movie to be a solid gangster drama with well-executed fight scenes and excellent character development. They appreciate its artsy style, with one customer describing it as a deeply moving love story without romance. While the movie receives positive feedback for its quality, one customer notes it's not believable, and another finds it confusing.

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Story qualityMovie qualityActing qualityArt styleBelievablenessConfusion
30 customers mention "Story quality"23 positive7 negative

Customers enjoy the movie's action sequences and martial arts scenes, with one customer noting how it kept them on edge throughout.

"Action packed!!!..." Read more

"EXCELLENT MOVIE STORY LINE IS SOLID AND THE ACTING IS AMAZING" Read more

"...The story is just perfect - it's not overly cliche, and despite being something probable/seen-before (girl taken); that's the ONLY part that's '..." Read more

"I don’t know how this got such great reviews. When the plot is as simplistic (braindead) as it is, a movie can still be successful if it embraces a..." Read more

22 customers mention "Movie quality"22 positive0 negative

Customers praise this Korean movie, with one noting it's a strong South Korean crime film.

"This was a good movie with good acting. My only draw back was the excessive violence...." Read more

"...reviewer The professional , The man from nowhere and The best western ever Shane, all of then combined. No need to add anything. end of story!" Read more

"Great movie! My husband and I loved every fight scene!" Read more

"EXCELLENT MOVIE STORY LINE IS SOLID AND THE ACTING IS AMAZING" Read more

14 customers mention "Acting quality"14 positive0 negative

Customers praise the acting and character development in the movie.

"...Good story, good acting, good camera work, and terrific direction - the soundtrack for the big shoot-out was even a subtle homage to westerns...." Read more

"Great acting. Loved it." Read more

"EXCELLENT MOVIE STORY LINE IS SOLID AND THE ACTING IS AMAZING" Read more

"...The characters are one-hundred percent realistic - if you were them, you'd do the same things (if you had their skills/mentality, at least)...." Read more

7 customers mention "Art style"7 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the art style of the movie, describing it as artsy and beautiful, with one customer noting it's a deeply moving love story without romance.

"...You get the picture. The film starts up pretty slow paced, and somewhat artsy...." Read more

"...There was some violence which was very realistic and added to the story of Korean mobsters. The movie was so well made...." Read more

"Great love story without romance, great action." Read more

"...Korean film industry. This is essentially a deeply moving love story involving a tormented man who decides he wants a different life and is prepared..." Read more

4 customers mention "Believableness"0 positive4 negative

Customers find the movie's believability questionable.

"...development and twist of the antagonist's story is either weak or unconvincing which makes the overall story somewhat bland...." Read more

"...unfolds at a snail’s pace with no comedy, no romance, no heroics, no feats, no thrillers, no twists, no moving to tears, no nada, except maybe the..." Read more

"...The action and cinematogrpahy are great throughout. It is unrealistic in parts, but that's how the movie was designed...." Read more

"stupid, trite, not believable..." Read more

3 customers mention "Confusion"0 positive3 negative

Customers find the movie confusing.

"The story lacks any real depth or meaning, so its confusing to follow along...." Read more

"It was simplistic, a lot of time just taken to shoot people, nothing much to it! Amazed to how it got good reviews!" Read more

"This was a good movie but I did not like the end, it was maybe alittle confusing and it let open some questions of is this real or a dream." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • GILBERTO ECHEVARRIA
    5.0 out of 5 stars A BITTERSWEET LIFE
    Reviewed in the United States on May 20, 2025
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    EXCELLENT MOVIE STORY LINE IS SOLID AND THE ACTING IS AMAZING
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  • slainephoto
    5.0 out of 5 stars 10, Absolutely Incredible
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    This is an excellent movie. I will never view Korean film, 'fighting' films, or even action and/or suspense films the same. This movie has truly raised the bar. Right after watching it, through my search for a new movie, I wanted to watch it again. I wanted to buy it and watch all the special features. I wanted to get to know the characters more, and see the process this film took. After watching this movie, I was an instant Lee Byung Hun fan. And, as of now, I've seen all of his films. Perhaps that generates a deeper appreciation for this film, for me - the fact that I've now seen everything he's done.

    The story is just perfect - it's not overly cliche, and despite being something probable/seen-before (girl taken); that's the ONLY part that's 'cliche'. Every step leading up to, and every step away from that moment; you're completely held hostage by this movie, on the edge of your seat. The story is well-done, too - not overly developed/obviously explained.. and you're not left wondering/guessing. The characters are one-hundred percent realistic - if you were them, you'd do the same things (if you had their skills/mentality, at least).

    I loved every minute of this movie.
    21 people found this helpful
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  • Sam M.
    4.0 out of 5 stars Strong South Korean crime film
    Reviewed in the United States on January 4, 2009
    Verified Purchase
    This is Kim Jee Woon's follow up to his horror/suspense film "A Tale Of Two Sisters", which made a bit of a splash on the import scene.

    I was wondering how the director of such a slow and moody film would do making a crime/revenge film. Pretty well, as it turns out.

    The film is about a mob enforcer who has to watch after his bosses young lover, while he is away. He is informed that he must kill her, and her other lover, if she is found to have one.

    Well, she does have one, and the enforcer can't bring himself to off her. Which sets in motion a lot of bad things to happen to him. Of course, being an unstoppable mob enforcer, he's not going to take that lying down, now is he?

    You get the picture. The film starts up pretty slow paced, and somewhat artsy. It did remind me of ATOTS, and I was wondering if this guy had it him to make a more hard edged film. Well, obviously he was just setting a mood, because things do get quite violent, and action packed. There's also a moderate amount of humor(normal and dark).

    I found the film to be quite good, and I was very impressed with it. It really impresses me how some of these South Korean films I have seen, such as The Host and Oldboy, will take a pretty cliched concept, and really take an artistic spin on it. They're quite artsy, imaginative, and filled with dark humor.

    A Bittersweet Life is no different.
    11 people found this helpful
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  • brad cheek
    5.0 out of 5 stars A Bittersweet Life is Amazing!
    Reviewed in the United States on June 23, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    This movie is unique, it was critically acclaimed at Cannes, and Lee Byung Hun, the lead, won multiple awards.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • CB
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Story
    Reviewed in the United States on July 20, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    This was an excellent story with a message. There was some violence which was very realistic and added to the story of Korean mobsters. The movie was so well made.
    The Korean film industry is putting out far better movies than any of the crap coming out of Hollywood.
    3 people found this helpful
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  • JT
    5.0 out of 5 stars Great Asian Action Flick !!
    Reviewed in the United States on January 10, 2021
    Verified Purchase
    This is one of the best movies that I have viewed. Great story and a great job from the lead actor. Bloody and action packed. Amazing flick. A must own for any fan of asian cinema. This is the kind of movie that I will watch every year. We need more movies like this.
    2 people found this helpful
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  • Alexandria Velazquez
    1.0 out of 5 stars Pay attention to what you buy.
    Reviewed in the United States on November 1, 2023
    Verified Purchase
    Does not play on my dvd. Plays with PAL, which I did not notice at time of purchase. Mea culpa!
    I've seen this movie on the big screen. This is a wonderful movie. Really excellent.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Mr. Fantastic
    3.0 out of 5 stars solid action movie
    Reviewed in the United States on March 4, 2007
    Verified Purchase
    This isn't going to win an award or anything, but action movies don't get that kind of recognition anyway. This is what I would call a smart action movie. There is good character development, coupled with action that isn't too over the top, killing any suspensed disbelief. I like Korean movies because there is usually an undeniable syle, and they tend to be darker than most american movies. This isn't the cream of the crop for Korean films, but it is entertaining and it does have substance.
    4 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Jacques
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in Canada on September 23, 2016
    Verified Purchase
    Excellent film
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  • Gerhard und Lisa Meier
    5.0 out of 5 stars Ich kaufe gerne wieder hier ein
    Reviewed in Germany on January 26, 2022
    Verified Purchase
    Super Verkäufer, guter Preis, top Qualität, sehr schnelle Lieferung.. Sehr zu empfehlen! Vielen Dank
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  • Josean
    5.0 out of 5 stars Magnífico thriller surcoreano
    Reviewed in Spain on March 21, 2019
    Verified Purchase
    Es una gran película. Ya les gustaría a muchos filmes americanos tener la calidad de este thriller hecho en Corea del Sur. A mí se me perdió la película y he tenido la suerte de encontrarla en Amazon. Se la recomiendo a todos los amantes del buen cine.
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  • Lola
    5.0 out of 5 stars DVD
    Reviewed in France on March 11, 2024
    Verified Purchase
    J'ai adoré ce film. L'acteur principal est incroyable. On se rend compte qu'il a une âme sensible. Je ne pense pas qu'il était fait pour devenir un homme de main de la pègre. Un homme de cœur et ce cœur remonte à la surface qu'on il tombe amoureux mais aussi de toute la beauté de la vie que vie cette fille, la musique, les sentiments nobles, une vie limpide en fait, translucide et pas pleine de sang. Il commet une petite erreur venant du cœur qui va lui couter cher. Le cœur n'existant pas dans la pègre. Surpris, désabusé par l'horreur qu'il subit, il se vengera mais à quel prix. Une vengeance terrible pour lui "et, ou" pour protéger celle dont il est secrètement amoureux. Excellent film coréen. J'adore le ciné asiatique. Cependant et je ne comprend pas pourquoi, certain sont hors de prix comme j'ai rencontré le diable. Dommage!!!!!!!!!!!!!! J'adore le cinéma américain mais les films asiatiques ont cette particularité d'être plus indépendant ou hors tout simplement qu'il y inclus une maîtrise parfaite dés ingrédients qui font que leurs films sont vraiment au dessus du lot, sans édulcorant. Certains films américains le sont aussi- et je pourrais en citer- les us et coutumes étant différentes, les asiatiques ne forcent pas l'imaginaire. Ils passent outre. Tu prends ou tu laisses, pas de demi-mesure. J'aime et c'est superbe. une telle maîtrise... Bravo! J'y ai vu une pointe d'humour dans ce film, par instant mais magistralement saupoudré. MERCIIIIIIIIIIIII
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  • The Dandy Highwayman
    5.0 out of 5 stars Simply Outstanding
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2011
    Verified Purchase
    Very rarely a film comes along that 'changes' you. I don't mean to sound melodramatic here, but 'A Bittesweet Life' grabs you by the neck, plunges your head into a sink full of cold water and then makes you have a lingering look at yourself in the mirror.

    'A Bittersweet Life' is the sort of film that goes beyond entertainment and really reaches out to the core of every human. Have you given up on your dreams lately? I probably had until Jee-Woon Kim chucked this across the living room at me!

    You don't need me to tell you what an exceptional director Jee-Woon Kim is, but seriously, this is a masterpiece. What I love about his work is the precision in which every frame in every scene is carefully planned and exectuted. No Hollywood laziness here!

    A rip roaring action thriller on one hand, a gentle love story on the other, 'A Bittersweet Life' wouldn't be half the film it is were it not for the equally exceptional Byung Hun-Lee who plays Sun-Woo. Hun-Lee plays the seemingly emotionless lead character so well and with every subtle facial expression he slowly wins your affection and opens his soul to the auidence. What a performance.

    The last twenty minutes of 'A Bittersweet Life' are its most powerful. 'Pure Class' is the only way to explain how neatly and carefully the film knits itself together and that closing message, when everything becomes clear, will linger long in the memory.

    A far cry from a 'Hollywood Star', CGI cheese-fest; this is how you make a film. Stunning. If I could give 6 stars I would as I can't recommend this masterpiece highly enough.
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