Thirst (Park Chan-wook, 2009)

It is certainly no secret that I am quite the admirer of Park Chan-wook's work. Oldboy is one of my all-time favorites (right behind V for Vendetta and American Beauty), and the other two films in his acclaimed "Vengeance Trilogy" are fairly high on the list as well. So naturally, I was eagerly anticipating his latest effort from the very moment I learned of it. Unfortunately for me, I was unable to seek Thirst out in its highly limited theatrical release, and thus had to bide my time until the DVD finally hit shelves on November 17, 2009. I am ecstatic to say that it was well worth that long, arduous wait; every last second. Let me be as up front as possible: Thirst is an extraordinary film.

The film begins with the introduction of Sang-hyun (Song Kang-ho), a Roman Catholic priest who brings peace to the terminally ill, assisting in the plight and uncertainty that comes with passing from this life to the next. Growing tired of the grief that comes with watching patients die, Sang-hyun decides to volunteer for an experiment in which he will serve as a test subject for curing a deadly virus. At first, he seems to be just another failed effort among the batch of volunteers, but shortly after flat-lining he miraculously returns to life thanks to a blood transfusion, becoming the only survivor thus far. Shortly thereafter, he takes shelter with a childhood friend, Kang-woo (Shin Ha-kyun), and his family. Here he meets Kang-woo's loving mother, Lady Ra (Kim Hae-sook), and his wife (whom Sang-hyun also knew during his childhood), Tae-ju (Kim Ok-bin), who completely despises her husband, and with good reason.



Also of importance during this time is that Sang-hyun quickly learns that he is a vampire. Of course, being a priest, he is not one to begin stalking helpless victims in the night. Instead, he gets blood from unconscious patients at the hospital he works at (primarily from a man in a coma named Hyo-sung, a gentle soul who delights in feeding the needy - so Sang-hyun does not feel guilt in the act).



Sang-hyun simultaneously takes a romantic interest in Tae-ju - a mutual feeling, as she longs for him to rescue her from the life she lives (indeed she even confides that she has loved him since they were children. He is reluctant at first, as perhaps a priest must be in abstinence, but he does not put up much of a resistance before indulging in carnal desires with Tae-ju. Not wanting to hide his condition from her, Sang-hyun reveals to her that he is a vampire, which initially terrifies Tae-ju, but she quickly embraces the fact with a playful adoration, even wishing to become a vampire herself.



Through various means, the two allow their love to flourish and Sang-hyun does all within his power to give Tae-ju a happier life. However, he understands all too well that his illness leaves one teetering on the edge, holding firmly to a minuscule thread of humanity. The film focuses a bit on both Sang-hyun and Tae-ju struggling with the moral quandaries presented to a vampire, but remains first and foremost a rather tragic (yet often comedic) love story. As is the norm for the director, the narrative is not without its share of quirkiness and flair - to the extent that the unaccustomed viewer may well be scratching his/her head at some of various happenings that take place in the latter third of the film's two hour and fourteen minute run-time.

Thirst is a splendid tapestry of romance, comedy, and occasional horror. Cleverly-conceived dialogue, erotic (albeit sometimes bizarre) scenes of intimacy, and buckets of blood are all present with marvelous execution. While it is doubtful in my mind that Park Chan-wook can ever hope to deliver a film quite as perfect as Oldboy, this latest effort is definitely not to be missed. If I were to make any complaint about the film at all, it would have to be with the DVD release itself, as it sports no special features whatsoever. While this fact is disappointing, it is not too troubling, as I find it likely that a double-dip will be released sometime within the next year or two, likely containing (at the very least) a commentary track and some behind-the-scenes featurette(s). Unfortunately, until that hopeful day arrives, this humdrum release will have to suffice. Still, poor DVD aside, I must say that Thirst is quite the nourishing film, though I will always have room for more of Park Chan-wook's work in the future as well.