Frozen Flower (A)

133 minutes of opulent drama - perhaps, not for all tastes but Ha-Yu certainly knows how to grip an audience.

The production values are heady, the journey is an emotional rollercoaster and it all boils down to the extraordinary performance by Jin-mo Ju - a masterclass in control and composure.

It would have been so easy to fall into melodrama and neurosis.

The pain of betrayal has never been handled with such sensitivity.

There are sex scene galore, beheadings, banquets and brawls - the choreography throughout is complex and precise and flows through a story that will have you switch your sentiments so often that you will be left bewildered, confused and exhausted - and satisfied.

Few make these kind of films - fewer do them justice - this is a tower of strength.

Really, rather brilliant.

Trailer...