New Trial

New Trial is a South Korean drama film directed by Kim Tae-yoon that was released in 2017. The film features an ensemble cast led by Jung-Eun Lee and Ju-Seon Eo, with Kang Ha-neul delivering a powerful performance in a pivotal role. It is a movie that is a potent mixture of a legal drama and a human-interest story, delving deep into the complexities of the justice system, corruption, and human resilience.

Jang Hang-jun's screenplay is prevalent throughout the entire film and manages to captivate the audience's attention, employing a mix of tightly written dialogue and deft storytelling. The waning hopefulness symbolized in New Trial provides an introspective look into a society's underlying system, where people's faith in fairness and justice is constantly tested and many times, found wanting.

The plot revolves around a young man named Hyun-Woo (Kang Ha-neul), the only witness to a taxi driver's murder. However, rather than being treated as a witness, Hyun-Woo is wrongfully accused of the murder due to his disadvantaged socio-economic conditions and is subsequently convicted. Even though he insists upon his innocence, the young man finds himself trapped in a decade-long sentence in an adult prison despite his juvenile status. In prison, Hyun-Woo endures inhuman conditions and fights to maintain his will to survive while longing for his freedom.

Meanwhile, Lawyer Joon-young (Jung-Eun Lee) is a fledgling attorney who has lost the spark and motivation due to his string of failures at court, leading him to a heavy bout of self-deprecation. However, the lawyer's fate takes a significant turn when he encounters Hyun-Woo's case, which looks like a long-lost cause but presents an opportunity to prove himself. Though initially skeptical, Joon-young decides to reopen Hyun-Woo's case and fight against the corrupted system that has failed the young man.

Jung-Eun Lee and Kang Ha-neul’s performances are commendable in New Trial. Jung-Eun Lee, portraying Joon-young, seamlessly portrays the strife of an aspiring lawyer struggling to regain his prestige. His nuanced performance perfectly articulates the attorney's internal conflict and transformation. On the other hand, Kang Ha-neul's turn as Hyun-Woo is equally commendable, offering a sensitive performance that effectively communicates the character's struggle, desperation, and hope.

There is also a special mention for Ju-Seon Eo, who delivered an unforgettable performance as Hyun-Woo's distraught and desperate mother, who never gives up the fight to prove his innocence. The supporting cast members lend credible support to the central narrative, each bringing their unique touch to the overall storytelling.

The film’s aesthetics, including its cinematography and soundtrack, make important contributions to its overall feel. Director Kim Tae-yoon uses visual imagery to narrate an emotional tale, especially in depicting prison scenes. The scenes are gritty and real, managing to bring out the harsh actualities of life behind bars while also focusing on Hyun-Woo's resilience through it all. These visual elements married with the film’s soundtrack, both eerie and impactful, combine to complement the movie's intense plot.

One of the key strengths of New Trial lies in its narrative structure. The film's storyline is not just about a miscarriage of justice but also explores the social contexts leading up to it. The stark difference in social statuses, the abuse of power and authority, and the hopeless struggle of a small ordinary citizen against a profound system form a significant part of the narrative.

Overall, New Trial is a compelling cinematic piece that invites its audience to question and reflect upon the flaws and disparities inherent in the judicial system. Its potent mix of engaging performances, an emotionally taut storyline, and a stand-out direction ensures an intense viewing experience. It presents a vivid portrayal of a fight against a broken system while also evoking the audience's compassion towards the victims of such inequity. Despite being a heavy drama, it also manages to stay hopeful, offering an enlightening take on the power of resilience and the human spirit's survival, making it a must-watch movie for those craving a thought-provoking and deeply moving cinematic experience.