Movie Review: All About My Wife (2012)

When your relationship is in a rut, what would you do? One possibly terrible way to fix it is by shaking things up and driving away your wife by asking the neighborhood womanizer to seduce her away. At least that’s what happens in All About My Wife, directed by Min Kyu-dong. And let’s just say the outcome isn’t what’s expected.

Du-hyun (Lee Sun-kyun) meets Jang-in (Im Soo-jung) during an earthquake while both are studying in Japan. A year later, they decide to tie the knot. Seven years has passed and the perfect Jang-in has turned into an annoying blabbermouth, driving the miserable Du-hyun insane. He tries to get away from her by taking a job in the countryside but of course Jang-in follows suit. One day, Du-hyun comes across a notorious Casanova by the nameof Sung-ki (Ryu Seung-ryong), a man known to leave women clinging on to him by the ankles. Literally. Out of desperation, he asks Sung-ki to seduce his wife away from him and maybe finally getting the divorce he’s been wanting. In order to do so, Du-hyun was asked to write a list, all about his wife.

When I first heard about this movie and saw the posters and promotional pictures, the first thing that popped into my mind was wow, someone actually managed to make Im Soo-jung look her age. Can you believe she’s turning 35 later this year? Thankfully for the audience and my own amusement, the transformation doesn’t stop there. The always pretty actress takes a turn for the worst when she becomes the nagging, annoying wife. If anything, her scenes where she spits a thousand words a minute leave me in awe. I would love to see the blooper reels for this movie.

Im Soo-jung isn’t the only one who transformed into a persona different from their usual one. Ryu Seung-ryong, a man mostly known as the tough baddie, turns into a seducing Casanova. In the words of Du-hyun, “Are you sure you’re a Casanova? You don’t look like it.” I’m sure those are the thoughts running through almost every single audience member. But a great actor that he is, he definitely pulled it off. The telenovela music doesn’t hurt either. And of course, we can’t leave out Lee Sun-kyun who becomes the cowardly husband. I don’t recall ever seeing him play such a submissive character before, but can I say that I want to see him play more of these roles? He was just so hilarious and desperate, I don’t know whether I should pity him or laugh at him.

While this movie is touted as a romantic comedy, it’s no everyday boy meets girl. It’s more like boy meets girl, boy gets sick of girl, boy finds girl a man toy, and the rest is what they call movie conflicts history. The story itself is fun and well-paced, never leaving the audience feeling bored while the dialogue is fast and always keeps you on your toes. I also find the development of each character thoroughly satisfying, each figuring out the one thing they needed in order to live a happier life. I know this isn’t probably what the movie intended to do, but after watching it, I feel like I need to improve myself as a human being. Who says only super artsy movies gets the soul a-swinging? Obviously not.

I’d say this is a movie to watch on Valentine’s day, but seeing it’s already passed, maybe save it for next year’s? It’s the perfect movie for the singletons, the couples, or the hopeless. Anyone can enjoy this movie, or at least get something out of it. Sure Jung-in can drive you crazy, or you want to slap Du-hyun in the face, or hit Sung-ki with your car once in a while, but after going through their journey with them, I’m sure you’ll change your mind. Now, where can I find a man whose every action is accompanied by moody accordions?

Final verdict: 8/10