Movie spotlight
The Ruler
Stalin’s statue in the garden of a nunnery provokes discussion – plenty of it – in a small Georgian village. Some of the locals used to know Stalin personally because he visited the village several times when he was young, and they continue to see him as a benign ruler from the good old days rather than the brutal dictator he was. Whenever an episode of purge shook the Soviet Union’s republics, they hid the statue in the woods. The church also plays an important role in people’s lives. All in all, the film reveals a fundamental conflict in Georgian society.
Insights
Plot Summary
A clumsy and unlucky office worker discovers that she can see ghosts after a freak accident. She soon finds herself entangled with a mysterious ghost who claims to be a Joseon-era king. Together, they navigate the modern world and uncover a long-lost secret that connects their past and present lives.
Critical Reception
The Ruler received mixed reviews, with praise for its unique premise and the chemistry between its leads, but criticism for its predictable plot and uneven pacing. It was generally considered a lighthearted romantic comedy with a fantasy twist.
What Reviewers Say
Praised for its charming lead performances and imaginative supernatural premise.
Criticized for a story that becomes convoluted and loses steam in its latter half.
Appreciated as a feel-good romance with a quirky, fantasy-driven plot.
Google audience: Audience reviews are scarce, but those available tend to highlight the film's lighthearted tone and the endearing chemistry between the main actors. Some viewers found the plot to be somewhat predictable and the fantasy elements could have been more developed.
Fun Fact
The film's director, Kwak Jae-yong, is also known for directing the highly successful South Korean romantic comedy "My Sassy Girl" (2001).
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