Man on High Heels (2014) User Reviews

Stumbling a bit

[kosmasp · 7/10 · 30 December 2014]

The English title might be a bit of a spoiler if you will, but it might also prepare for what you are about to see. It's a very strange movie, mixing drama and action in a way, most might not have seen before. It flourishes and cherishes some unique small moments (which are very funny to say the least). It's moments that characters and especially mentality shine through in a big way.

The theme itself will not speak to a mainstream audience obviously, because of what the main characters goes through. Despite that, this is a really good movie, that does not shy away from it's own subject matter and might leave viewers feel a bit uncomfortable too. Fight choreography is good

Good Korean action/thriller and a damn good fist against man virility and machismo

[tabbal-michel · 7/10 · 28 May 2017]

Man on High Heels is a good muscular and engaged dramatic thriller. Korean ingredients are there: it rains all the time, it fights with brutality and aestheticism, it cries, it laughs, it screams ... A little long and suffering from some weaknesses in the scenario, Man on High Heels is enough audacious and a damn good fist against man virility and machismo !

Violent and strange the elements don't mix well

[phd_travel · 6/10 · 16 May 2020]

A cop who kills well bad guys with no guns. Change to his cross dressing. Wants to get a sec change. When the bad guys go after the people he cares about he comes back as bad cop. The things seem awkwardly juxtaposed.

Skip this one. Just shock tactics.

A Movie Well Worth Viewing - May or May Not Contain Spoilers

[lauramadugan · 27 December 2016]

The title doesn't leave much to the imagination - and itself is a challenge - is this person a man dressing up, is this person a woman in transition, is this person being viewed or viewing themselves? The extreme violence (typical in a Korean movie) takes place against the backdrop of an individual undergoing gender re-assignment. Some of the lines in the movie were startling and revelatory 'We don't have surgery to become women - we become women so we can have the surgery'. Cha, who is an uber masculine star, really takes on this role with sensitivity and without comment. His emotions read wide, and there is no judgment against people in transition especially. The memory scenes are heartbreaking and tender, and ultimately the viewer is brought into the world of the question - including the ending, which leaves more questions than answers. This is a movie about one individual journey, and doesn't seem to pretend to preach about right or wrong choices. I am glad I finally watched it, and probably will watch it again and suggest it to others. I found it quite beautiful!

Absolutely loved it.

[narutofan-77309 · 10/10 · 28 August 2016]

This movie makes my gay little heart very very happy. This one is especially a very good movie. I loved it because its captures very well the feeling and heartache of someone who was born in the wrong body.

I actually think its very rare for to find a movie this good created from an Asian entertainment industry. Movies like this doesn't appealed much to mainstream audience. But its means the world to those that lives that life, a life that is not so easily accepted by society. I love every inch of the movie.

The movie captured the pain of what it meant to be different, and to hide it, and live a double life. To be put on a mask to the world, and to hide your real self behind close doors. To suffer silently and to struggled with one identity. It depicted these emotions very well. It showed how LGBT individual are bullied, self harmed, and hold self hatred. Its depicts a man torned between his life as a man, and his desired to be true to himself, and become a women.

One last thing, my favorite part of this movie is how it summed up a very special theme: We can't change. This things are intrinsic to our very heart and soul. Our sexuality and our identity is every part that make us complete.

High heels, low score

[nathanpollard-34-591307 · 4/10 · 8 December 2015]

Man On High Heels follows a very tried and tested Korean gangster/cop formula but with a rather unusual quirk. Korean mega star and tuna salesman, Cha Seung Won plays against type as Yoon Ji Wook, a tough detective with a surprising secret. Cha's no mercy, gung-ho, bone breaking cop is about to go through with gender reassignment surgery.

Homosexuality and gender reassignment are topics rarely touched upon in mainstream Korean movies and all credit must be given for a serious attempt at broaching an oft ignored issue. Cha does put in a very good performance lurching from a deadly fighting force to an emotionally drained and confused individual struggling with his own identity. However the film is rather uneven; the emotional impact of the scenes illustrating Cha's treatment jar against the stereotypical ultra violence. Though the fight scenes are well staged they distract from the drama which should be the focus of the film. The story loses its pace and way in the last quarter and the ending is horribly predictable. An admirable attempt and a good performance by Cha but overall the film is a disappointment.

i hate this movie

[skyemikail-10073 · 10/10 · 16 December 2021]

Its so weird seeing how this movie can be related by many people. I guess movies are more life-like when it reminds you of yourself in a way? I felt the actor deeply unlike any other movie i watched, maybe being able to understand the actor makes it seem more relatable. Having the urge to transition and liking someone who you cant be with is something i faced/facing, the movies second half turned into positive where people respected her but then became negative just like how you want to transition but then theres things holding you back. Dispite having the money which wasint rightfully earned but he still couldnt transition just feels so sad, i so happy for her but the joy was so shortlived. I regret watching this movie cause of the ending, she didnt transition and dint follow her dreams, kinda reminds of me, ye i hate this movie, i absolutely hate it.

not the best one but not that bad

[harleyyyyyy · 4/10 · 10 September 2020]

SPOILER ALERT !!

at first this movie doesn't had that much impact on me, but I've to admit after the death of his detective friend, this movie become quite interesting, i think it's because of the amazing fighting scene, and cha seung won is a great actor (and he's hot too), it's wonderful how he can portray the character of a man who looks so manly from the outside, but actually is so feminine inside, and I lowkey ship him with esom although I know they can't really end up together

A great film with many elements - Cha Seung-won's great performance

[navasiouxshute · 10/10 · 22 March 2021]

Cha Seung-won delivers a great performance as Yoon Ji-wook, a detective who cracks down hard on gangsters, but who is also carrying a heavy personal secret of wishing to go through gender affirmation surgery and become the woman who lives within. I like the fact that they dealt with this subject in a very serious and humanizing manner. Seung-won gave a wonderful performance as someone who is struggling within themselves and portraying themselves as one way to the public and being who they are meant in private.

The fighting is filmed very well and I enjoyed the choreography, and it was nice seeing Cha Seung-won play a character who didn't rely on charm and charisma, but more on physical force and intimidation, which was counter productive to what this character was trying to achieve in private. I was sad at the choice Ji-wook made at the end of the film and honestly it is likely a choice many people take for various reasons. I really enjoyed this film and they way they dealt with the humanity of this story, in the various interactions with the characters. I highly recommend others to watch this if you don't mind subtitles.