Rating summary

Movie		4.5
Video		4.5
Audio		4.5
Extras		4.0
Overall		4.5

Right Now, Wrong Then Blu-ray Movie Review

A complex drama with surprising twists and turns in the story

The comedic-drama Right Now, Wrong Then is an entertaining slice of cinema pie that fits the bill for a thoughtful and complex conversation-piece in the vein of Woody Allen. The arthouse film was produced by Cho-hee Kim (Lucky Chan-sil, Our Sunhi) and is a breathe of fresh air that takes audiences out for a wild spin that will be enchanting audiences long after the end credits roll. Charming, intelligent, and filled with surprising twists, Right Now, Wrong Then is cinematic perfection.

On a quiet day before production on a feature-film, director Ham Cheon-soo (Jae-yeong Jeong) finds himself with more time on his hands than he expected. Stopping by at an inn (where he sits with a sense of contemplation), Cheon-soo meets a gorgeous student, Yoon Hee-jeong (Min-hee Kim). Approaching the beautiful young woman with a sense of curiosity, the two hit it off with romantic sparks flying.

Connecting right off the bat (once the young woman realizes that he is a well-known director), the two go out to dine at a restaurant. As the conversation turns into an entire day spent together, the romance continues to brew while some surprises lay in store for viewers. Will Ham Cheon-soo and Yoon Hee-jeong find true happiness?

"Do you also like rainbows?"

One of the most compelling elements of the filmmaking is the brilliant performances by the two lead actors: Jae-yeong Jeong and Min-hee Kim. Right Now, Wrong Then would not have been effective without their compelling chemistry and strong understanding of the craft of acting by both leads. A quiet film that is character-focused, the performances are rich with subtleties that make the experience more engaging and memorable. The romantic element would not have been nearly as effective with two less-capable leads. Jae-yeong Jeong and Min-hee Kim are sublime.

Right Now, Wrong Then is complimented by a subtle and effective score by Yong-jin Jeong (Hahaha, Woman on the Beach). Though a quiet score, the music adds to the ambiance of the filmmaking and makes the experience much more rewarding. Beautiful, serene, and magnetic, the music fits the fold with ease. The cinematography by Hong-yeol Park (On the Beach at Night Alone, The Last Blossom) gives the filmmaking a naturalistic tone. The film feels like a blend between art-house bliss and documentary. The visuals are vivid and hypnotic throughout. An absorbing cinematographic experience, the film manages to be a lush example of independent spirit filmmaking.

Sang-soo Hong (Woman Is the Future of Man, On the Occasion of Remembering the Turning Gate) crafted a compelling feature as writer-director of this under-the-radar gem. A filmmaker with an impressively lengthy filmography, Hong has honed his craft with a careful attention to detail. A experimental filmmaker, Hong explores the story in two segments: the first half of the film plays out from one perspective and the second half from another (repeating scenes but with differences in the editing and the revelations that follow). The story has surprises in store for audiences with many twists and turns. The inspiration from Akira Kurosawa's Rashomon is obvious but the end-results feel distinctly original. Thought-provoking, challenging, and enormously entertaining, Right Now, Wrong Then is cinematic magic.

Right Now, Wrong Then Blu-ray Movie, Video Quality 

Released on Blu-ray from Grasshopper Film, the uniquely compelling Right Now, Wrong Then has received a 1080p MPEG-4 AVC encoded high definition presentation in the original theatrical aspect ratio of 1.85:1 widescreen. The release preserves the film's digital DCP photography and has an ultra-clean, ultra-clear presentation that presents the film well. Color reproduction looks highly naturalistic and pleasing from beginning to end. Detail looks surprisingly filmic for a digital production and quite beautiful throughout. There are many outdoor scenes which are consistently pleasing and the natural daylight in the film appears vibrant and lush. An all around satisfactory presentation.

Right Now, Wrong Then Blu-ray Movie, Audio Quality 

The Blu-ray release is presented in the original Korean language with a DTS-HD Master Audio 5.1 surround sound track. Although the track is technically provided in surround sound, the surround activity is minimalistic throughout the presentation. There are only a few scenes in the film where surrounds are engaged in a meaningful way for subtle ambiance. The audio track is nonetheless a pleasing one with crisp and clear fidelity. Dialogue reproduction is equally superb (and consistently easy to understand). The entire film is dialogue-driven and the 24 bit high-resolution track capably handles the material.

Right Now, Wrong Then Blu-ray Movie, Special Features and Extras 

Lost in the Mountains (SD, 32:09) is a 2009 short film from Right Now, Wrong Then director Sang-soo Hong. Though the presentation is certainly underwhelming (and resembles that of a low-res Quicktime video), the short is a charming drama which offers fans of the filmmaker a compelling short-story to unravel and explore. Worth a watch.

Video introduction by filmmaker and critic Dan Sallitt (SD, 24:47) is a curious introduction: in part because the piece looks like it was filmed as a Skype video-session. Nonetheless, the interview (completed on what appears to be a day-bed...), is engaging. Sallitt provides some interesting observations about the Right Now, Wrong Then and director Sang-soo Hong. Both established fans and those looking to receive more information about the filmmaker's vast filmography are encouraged to view the extra and take in the insights about the director's career.

Press Conference (SD, 18:10) features director Sang-soo Hong and actress Kim Minhee discussing Right Now, Wrong Then during the film presentation at the 68^th Locarno Film Festival. This was my favorite supplement on the release and it was a joy to hear the director and actress Minhee discuss production. A translator worked with both of them to answer attendees questions and there are some curious gems during the discussion. A must-watch for fans of the film.

Right Now, Wrong Then Theatrical Trailer (HD, 1:49)

The release also includes a selection of trailers for other Grasshopper Films releases available on home media: Fireworks Wednesday (HD, 1:37), Kaili Blues (HD, 1:33), Don't Blink – Robert Frank (HD, 1:48), Kate Plays Christine (HD, 2:23), The Human Surge (HD, 1:33), and Mimosas (HD, 2:20)

Right Now, Wrong Then Blu-ray Movie, Overall Score and Recommendation 

Charming and full of surprises, the clever two-part Right Now, Wrong Then explores a relationship through multiple lenses. The film is divided into two separate halves and during each sequence of events the storyline shifts directions in unexpected ways (while the second half recounts the first sequence of events... with twists). The Blu-ray release features an impressive presentation and a worthwhile selection of supplemental materials to keep fans happy. A worthwhile release which enthusiasts of world cinema should strongly consider seeking out. Highly recommended.