On Friday, April 1st, HIFF had the honor to show the release of USA premier Cyrano Agency. Before coming over, it had already had local success in South Korea as well as receiving an Best Actor reward. For those who like contemporary romantic comedies this is highly recommended. The story is well written out and supported with good acting.
The story revolves this a small organization called Cyrano Agency which claims to have a 100% success rate at making people fall in love. The business was set up by a theater actor Lee Byeong-hun was a way to make some money. He has three additional people on his team that assist him on his jobs.
The story begins with a lovesick man, Kim Hyeon-gon, hiring the services of those at the Cyrano Agency to help him get a coffee shop worker Seon-ah to fall for him. Their normal method is to set up different situations and they then give him and/or feed him lines through an earpiece. However, other than the 'secret' instructions, they have pretty limited interaction between the two. In this episode, there is some pretty effective camera work. There is one scene where Kim Hyeon-gon is having a conversation out in the rain. Since he does not have an umbrella the rain on his face, coupled with the background music, gives the impression that he is sad; the rain are tears running down his face. Even though this operation is a success, the business still has financial problems so they still need to take other jobs. This necessity lead to the conflict which would partially drive the remainder of the film.
The second job comes from a fund manager, Lee Sang-yong, who has fallen for a member of his congregation, Kim Heui-joong. However, as this job is unlike the others before, Kim Heui-joong is Lee Byeong-hun ex-girlfriend, Lee is against them taking this job; this is not known to the time initially. Finally, he agreed to accept the job under the combined pressure of the rest of the time and the financial situation they are in. At first there are no problems. But this would not go on forever, eventual past feels begin to interfere with the work.
The church that they attend, the minister gives extremely long and boring sermons. In an attempt to impress Kim Heui-joong, Lee Sang-yong, she is kind of a rebel, would speak out and ask for a shorter time. At first it seems as if the plan succeeds extremely well. Then the twist, it is what is meant to happen. However, in reality did not follow what their idea. This is in part because of the lack confidence Lee Heui-joong addressed with.
A scene later own which flashes back to explain the relationship Kim Heui-joong and Byeong-hun happened when she went to the data in the coffee shop. As the 'potential' couple is at their table, the Cyrano Agnecy is controlling the music in a back corner. When Lee Sang-yong goes to the toilet, Byeong puts on a song that had a special connection between him and his ex. this causes her to reflect on her past relationship.
Does they movie end with Byeong-hun taking his ex back or can he put aside his feeling and get her to fall for Lee. This is for you to see. While the movie is fairly serious, there are plenty of humorous scenes to lighten and entertain. One should see this movie.
Info: http://www.hiff.org/program/films/detail/cyrano_agency_2011
Info: http://www.hiff.org/program/films/detail/cyrano_agency_2011
