I found this little gem of a TV movie on Youtube. The plot: A playwright sets out to find the murderer of his actress girlfriend a year later by inviting his five theater collaborators under the pretense to rehearse for his “new play.” It is essentially a contained suspenseful thriller (primary location being the theater) and a smart one at that. It is also sort of a play within a play (within another play, maybe?).

One of the many appealing aspects about The Friends of Eddie Coyle is its title; Who is Eddie Coyle? And who are his friends? By the end, you realize if these are supposed to be friends, who needs enemies? Robert Mitchum plays Eddie Fingers, a lifelong working-class criminal who at the moment is facing three to five years. In his very first scene, we witness Eddie’s cool, but urgent demeanor as he negotiates with a talkative, cautious gun runner (Jackie Brown played by Steven Keats with fervor). Mitchum delivers his mini monologue with a subtle menace and the scene and Mitchum’s performance is a masterclass in screen acting.

Yourself and Yours is Hong Sangsoo at his most playfully deceptive. The film stars Lee Youyoung (Minjung) and Kim Joohyuck (Youngsoo), a couple that breaks up over a rumor at the outset of the film. While Youngsoo wallows in regret afterwards, we experience Minjung as the woman who does not want to be recognized. Two men recognize her at a cafe, but she does not recognize them. Is she lying? Is she a twin, like she says? Is this an act? And who is the “real” Minjung?

This film begins with a subtle bang. Our lead, Hussein, is a heavy set man currently attempting a robbery at a jewelry store in Tehran. We hear him shatter glass display cases offscreen. As citizens watch him helplessly from outside, he paces back and forth aimlessly; it’s like he’s fed up. What we will find out is that we are going to watch a man who has had enough of being looked down on by society.

I love every frame of this movie. In fact, I don't think I've loved a movie this much since seeing ChungKing Express when I was in my early twenties. I got the same, warm euphoric feeling watching it. Directed and edited by Nobuhiko Obayashi, the camera is always in movement it seems, giving it this adrenaline rush that goes perfect with the movie's story.