The Housemaid (Hanyo)
Directed by Ki-young Kim
Written by Ki-young Kim
1960/South Korea
Hanguk Munye Yeonghwa/Kim Ki-young Productions
First viewing/FilmStruck
One of 1001 Movies You Must See Before You Die
[box] Everybody ought to have a maid,/ Someone who you hire when you’re short of help/ To offer you the sort of help/ You never get from a spouse – “Everybody Ought to Have a Maid”, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum – lyrics by Steven Sondheim[/box]
Don’t you just hate it when the ending undoes the entire previous movie? Until then, this is dark, dark, dark.
A music teacher has serious woman problems. Two of his students are in love with him. His wife had been pumping for the new house he finally bought her, is not always in a great mood and is working her fingers to the bone. Finally, one of the smitten students finds him a housemaid. Then his troubles really begin.
Early on the maid discovers a rat and then some rat poison in the kitchen. She plays games with the latter for the remainder of the film. The maid is jealous of everything her employers have. This is not assisted by the taunts of their children. One night of passion with her employer leaves her pregnant with a due date near that of his wife. This particular maid is not about to go without a fight.
This is a stylishly made melodrama with plenty of sex and violence. The performances are all good, particularly that of the maid. I was not prepared for the last minute or two! Don’t know that I will seek this out again but I am glad I saw it.
Trailer (French subtitles)
