What the sins of the father do to the son. Based on a true story, “The Throne” is a heavy drama based on of the painful relationship between King Yeongjo and his son, the Crown Prince Sado, during the Joseon Dynasty. At only 27, the prince was deemed “unfit” to rule, and was condemned by the king to die a macabre death by being starved inside a rice chest. Yep, we’ve got some pretty hardcore father-son issues here.
Director Lee Jon Ik is back with this harrowing period piece, ten years after his much-talked about “The King and Clown” was nominated to represent South Korea in the Best Foreign Language Film Oscar category back in 2005. With a somber palette and an sinister atmosphere, it is easy to see why Lee’s film was once again selected for the Foreign Language film race in 2016. There is a lot to appreciate in the movie: beautiful sets, amazing costumes, and a gritty feel to everything. But what ultimately won me over was the indubitable dark chemistry between father and son. Veteran actor Song Kang-Ho (of “Snowpiercer” and “The Host”) is utterly hateful as the narcissistic and emotionally abusive king, and popular actor Yoo Ah In (of 50-episode “Six Flying Dragons” fame, as well as “Veteran”) is thoroughly convincing as his frustrated son who beats himself up to please his father in every way, only to come painfully short every time. It’s a relief to see Yoo Ah In match Song Kang-Ho perfectly, as he brings a very palpable level of humanity as well as an exhausting physicality to the role. Both actors, displaying tricky layers of overt cruelty and nuanced love, are a thespic masterclass unto themselves. They are so good that no matter how twisted their relationship was, I found myself aching for both of them– on one hand, we have a father who is a product of his own harsh upbringing , and on the other, a son who is a victim of a vicious and horribly maligned understanding of love. Now add the fact that both father and son NEVER wanted the burden of being king in the first place, and we get a solid film that openly challenges deep-seated Confucian norms of filial duty, parental obligation, and familial love.
“The Throne” is not an easy story to watch, but the film has a mesmerizing Shakespearean quality that draws you in and keeps you enthralled until the end. So if you’re in the mood to watch some serious acting and can accept that there will be no redemption in this story, then yes, this film is for you. Otherwise, stay away. There is hell in the royal household, so abandon all hope all ye who enter here.
The Throne is available on iFlix.
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