(C) BH Entertainment
Actor-turned-director Lee Hee-jun delivers a masterclass in domestic slapstick and human perspective.
The living room of an ordinary apartment is buzzing. An elderly couple, three sets of younger spouses, a small child, and a few indifferent cats are gathered around a table laden with drinks. What begins as a polite family reunion quickly descends into a cacophony of raised voices, sharp barbs, and eventually, a full-blown physical brawl. Amidst the wreckage, only the child and the cats remain calm—unfazed observers of the adult absurdity unfolding before them.
"Rectangle, Triangle" (2025), the second directorial effort from acclaimed actor Lee Hee-jun, is a cinematic anomaly. Clocking in at 46 minutes, it occupies the "medium-length" category—a format that rarely finds its way into commercial theaters. However, Lee’s pedigree and the film’s undeniable energy have secured it a theatrical release, proving that a compelling story transcends traditional runtime constraints.
A Follow-up to Excellence
Lee’s directorial debut, Byeong-hoon’s Day (2018), which depicted a young man’s perilous outing while struggling with panic disorder, earned high praise at the Jeonju International Film Festival. After years of anticipation, Rectangle, Triangle serves as his definitive response to the audience’s curiosity.
The plot kicks off when a son-in-law (played by Jin Sun-kyu), a successful actor, arrives at his sister-in-law’s home. He is immediately the center of attention—though the family’s interest lies less in his craft and more in his newfound financial status. As the liquor flows, the focus shifts to the host couple (played by Kwon So-hyun and Oh Eui-shik), whose simmering resentment over financial instability and emotional neglect explodes into a chaotic scuffle. Efforts by the other siblings to intervene only add fuel to the fire.
The Art of the "Conversation Piece"
Despite its confined setting, the film is densely populated. It functions as a "conversation piece," reminiscent of 12 Angry Men, granting each character an equal share of the rapid-fire dialogue. However, what sets Lee’s work apart is its embrace of physicality.
The film masterfully weaves relentless slapstick comedy into its heavy dialogue. Whether it’s a brawl triggered by a minor misunderstanding or a nonsensical dance break born out of frustration, the physical humor feels surprisingly grounded. These moments of "discovery in everyday life" resonate because they mirror the irrationality of real human conflict.
Perspective is Everything
The title, Rectangle, Triangle, draws inspiration from the teachings of the Buddhist monk Venerable Pomnyun. It posits a simple philosophical truth: the same object can look like a rectangle from the front but a triangle from the side.
This metaphor serves as the film’s heartbeat. Life and daily routines shift dramatically depending on one's vantage point. While we all see things differently, this diversity is exactly what makes our experiences universal. To fight, to fall, to hate, and to love—these are the "rectangles and triangles" we all share.
With this film, Lee Hee-jun has solidified his status as a formidable filmmaker. Rectangle, Triangle is a vibrant, chaotic, yet deeply human exploration of the family unit, proving that even in the midst of a "mess," there is a shared truth worth finding.
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