The cinematic adaptation of Donald Westlake's gripping 1996 novel, 'The Ax,' embarks on its production journey this weekend, boasting a star-studded cast that includes Korean screen legends Lee Byung-hun and Son Ye-jin. The renowned Korean maestro, Park Chan-wook, remains unstoppable in his creative pursuits, as the 60-year-old visionary director gears up to commence work on his 12th masterpiece this Saturday.
Titled tentatively as 'I Can’t Help It,' this cinematic endeavor brings to life Westlake's tale, with financial backing and distribution prowess of local heavyweight studio CJ ENM. Previously transformed into a French film, 'Le Couperet' (The Axe) by Costa Gavras in 2005, Park's adaptation introduces us to Man-soo, a character portrayed with depth by Lee Byung-hun, who finds himself abruptly unemployed after years of dedicated service at a paper mill. Desperate for employment, Man-soo's desperation spirals into a sinister plan, leading him to target his job rivals. Son Ye-jin, beloved as Korea's "Nation's First Love," steps into the role of Mi-ri, Man-soo's warm-hearted wife, adding an emotional layer to this dark narrative.
'I Can’t Help It' marks Park's return to the big screen following the critical acclaim of 'Decision to Leave' (2022), his romantic mystery masterpiece. Amidst these cinematic endeavors, he also co-directed the HBO miniseries 'The Sympathizer,' a collaboration that starred Robert Downey Jr. and was based on the Pulitzer Prize-winning novel of the same name. Last year celebrated the 20th anniversary of his groundbreaking, ultra-violent masterpiece 'Old Boy' (2003), further cementing his status as a global auteur.
Park and Lee's early success together in 'Joint Security Area' (2000) stands as a landmark in Korean cinema, with Quentin Tarantino hailing it as one of his favorite films since the 1990s. Lee's versatility has earned him global recognition, notably for his role as the Front Man in Netflix's phenomenon 'Squid Game.' Son Ye-jin, with her radiant presence and iconic early film roles, joins Park for the first time, promising a poignant portrayal of Mi-ri.
The ensemble cast is further enriched by Lee Sung-min ('The Spy Gone North') and Yeom Hye-ran ('Life'), who play a couple struggling with similar unemployment challenges. Park Hee-soon ('The Scam') takes on the role of the paper company's ruthless team leader, while Cha Seung-won ('One Ordinary Day') portrays one of Man-soo's formidable job competitors. Yoo Yeon-seok ('Mr. Sunshine') adds depth as a colleague of Mi-ri.
As CJ ENM keeps the official release date under wraps, anticipation builds for 'I Can’t Help It,' especially considering Park's frequent Cannes Film Festival appearances, where he has premiered four of his films. This promises to be yet another cinematic triumph from the masterful hand of Park Chan-wook.
