Daisy

Daisy is a captivating South Korean romantic drama, released in 2006. Renowned director Andrew Lau, best known for his 'Infernal Affairs' series, weaves an intricate tale of love, destiny, and misunderstanding. The film showcases spellbinding performances by well-liked Korean actors Jun Ji-hyun, Jung Woo-sung, and Sung-Jae Lee. Daisy unfolds a compelling narrative, rich in symbolism, with daisies standing for "day's eye", embodying innocence, loyal love, purity, and victimized love.

Set in the beautiful and vibrant cityscape of Amsterdam, the story explores the intertwined lives of three main characters. Jun Ji-hyun graces the screen as Hye-young, a street artist who makes a living by sketching portraits of passersby. She is a delicate, solitary, and hopeful woman who mysteriously receives a daisy every day on her display stand, each daisy arriving at "4:15 pm sharp". The sender is unknown to her, yet she gradually develops feelings for this invisible admirer, believing that the ever-punctual sender understands and respects her art on a profound level.

Jung Woo-sung plays Jeong Woo, a professional hitman who leads a lonely life, carrying out his chilling tasks with grim professionalism. Nevertheless, he is the anonymous sender of the daisies, having fallen head over heels for Hye-young, symbolically using the daisies as a bridge that connects their lonely lives. Jung Woo-sung remarkably portrays the complexity of a character who's a cold-blooded killer on the one hand but a hopelessly romantic man on the other.

Sung-Jae Lee plays the role of Park Yi, a sensitive cop who stumbles on Hye-young during an investigation. A chance encounter blends into friendship, further blossoming into love. Oblivious to Hye-young's heart inadvertently fluttering for an anonymous admirer, Park Yi dreams of becoming her knight in shining armor. The dichotomy of his character being a law enforcer and his romantic rival being a hitman adds an intriguing layer of complexity to the story.

The film beautifully portrays each character's entrapped feelings and desires, trapped in a love triangle that neither of them fully comprehends. It's skillfully peppered with metaphors and allegories, the most significant being the daisy that represents the innocence of unrequited love. The daises keep going from Jeong Woo to Hye-young, embodying an earnest confession of love while, tragically, the recipients think they are from Park Yi. This heartbreaking misunderstanding fabricates the core of this romantic triangle.

Known for his stunning visuals and the ability to induce heavy emotional landscapes, director Andrew Lau does not disappoint his audience with Daisy. The cinematography is breath-taking and takes full advantage of the picturesque landscapes and the vibrant city life of Amsterdam. The detailed portrayal of the artistic element of the film truly stands out, with Hye-young's art becoming a metaphor for life itself.

The film unfolds at a gentle, measured pace that gives the audience ample time to delve into the respective characters' lives. Despite being a romance at heart, Daisy does not shy away from darker themes, with elements of crime, mystery, and suspense dramatically woven into the narrative. The action sequences are fast-paced, and the suspense keeps the audience glued to their seats.

The acting performances are laudable. Jun Ji-Hyun does an excellent job articulating the soulful artistry of Hye-young. Her expressive eyes speak volumes about the loneliness and longing of her character. Jung Woo-sung shows multiple shades of his character, a hitman who chooses violence but longs for love. His portrayal of the stern hitman with a big heart and unrequited love is touching. Sung-Jae Lee fits well in his role as a passionate detective who gradually begins to lose his sanity due to his unrequited love.

Daisy uses the daisy flower as a symbol of love and longing, fused within a complex narrative of love, crime, and justice. It is a great blend of romantic drama and crime thriller, showcasing the struggles and hopes of its characters, making it a must-watch for those who enjoy a tightly-knit narrative around love and fate, shrouded with some action and suspense.