English Title: Burning
Directed by: Chang-dong Lee
Cat Out of the Bag Alert! This review contains MAJOR spoilers for this film!
Synopsis: Lee Jong-su (Ah-in Yoo) reconnects with childhood neighbor Shin Hae-mi (Jong-seo Jun) but is surprised when she returns from Africa in the company of a mysterious young man named Ben (Steven Yeun).
Featured Feline: We will repeat that the cat in this film is connected to some very big spoilers. We strongly recommend you watch the movie before reading this review!!
After Jong-su and Hae-mi meet by accident she asks him to housesit her cat while she is away in Africa. She takes Jong-su to her apartment but the cat is nowhere in sight. She explains the cat is shy when people come over and calls him by his name, Boil. When asked why she named her cat Boil, she explains she found him abandoned in the basement boiler room. Because of Hae-mi’s unusual behaviour, Jong-su questions if she even has a cat.
The two become lovers and then Hae-mi goes to Africa. When she returns she is in the company of a smooth, rich guy named Ben who becomes fast friends with both of them but particularly Hae-mi. Ben seems intrigued with the both of them but Jong-su becomes suspicious of Ben, feeling that something is not trustworthy about the man.
Eventually Hae-mi disappears. Her apartment is empty and clean (which it never was before). Near the end of the film, Jong-su visits Ben to ask about Hae-mi. He is surprised when a little white short-haired cat appears. Ben had not owned a cat before but explains he brought a stray cat home and hasn’t named it yet.
Jong-su finds some incriminating evidence in Ben’s bathroom. As he exits, the cat runs out of Ben’s apartment just as his new girlfriend arrives.
The three run into the parking structure to look for the cat. It is Jong-su who finds him.
Quietly and away from the others, Jong-su calls to the cat without using any names. The cat ignores him.
Finally Jong-su calls, “Hey, Boil.” The cat immediately comes to him.
Stunned, Jong-su carries the cat to the others. Ben’s girlfriend asks to take him.
Ben’s friends arrive and the party begins. One of the guests is holding Boil on her lap.
Final Mewsings: Cats can provide important clues!
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