The Recipe (PG) 8.0

The Recipe (2010) 된장 Doenjang: The Recipe centers on a TV producer searching for the recipe for an enchanting spicy bean-curd stew--and its elusive creator. Producer/presenter Choi Yu-jin smells a scoop when he learns that the last request of mass murderer and famed fugitive Kim Jong-gu before he was executed in February 2009 was for a bowl of doenjang jjigae (bean curd soup stew). (7.0)

Director: Anna Lee
Writer: Se-yeong Bae
Stars: Seung-yong Ryoo, Yu-won Lee, Dong-Wook Lee
Language: Korean (w/ English subtitles)

This movie has everything from a wild-goose chase, a scandal about a CEO, a mysterious woman, a goblin, a romance, to a perfect recipe for the bean curd soup. Even though I don't know a single Korean word, watching the mannerisms and hearing the enunciation helped me understand some of the hilarious situations. (That's the great thing about watching foreign movies; you get to learn cultural nuances.) The detective part of the story is thrilling, humorous and modern. The mysterious woman and the love story is romantic, serene and traditional. The way it is presented, this movie is not overbearing. It is a perfect blend, sort of like the final "recipe" for the doenjang jjigae itself. It has just enough humor for a story that tugs at the heart strings. I specially enjoyed the countryside scenes and the carefully done sets of the traditional houses. Great cinematography compliments the wonderful acting. My Rating: 8.0