Thomas Jong
How far would you go to cover up a crime? A Hard Day cuts a swathe through the mass of middling thrillers, offering scene after scene of gripping suspense and lean storytelling. Lee Sung-kyun, in particular, is remarkable in his lead performance as a corrupt detective. You will despise him at the beginning, no doubt. But this is far from a two-dimensional, cardboard character. Lee breathes life into the role, and his character's downward spiral into ever greater desperation, followed by revelation, is a joy to watch on screen. As the story ratchets up to an explosive conclusion, you will discover what a man with his back to the wall is capable of, and if redemption is possible for those who have sinned.