One of the most compelling areas of crime fiction is that of the police procedural. A book, TV show or film which concentrates on the investigative process. Following the police or, in many cases, a downbeat inspector with an alcohol problem, go through the steps they take to try and solve a crime can be utterly enthralling. It can make for great cinema, with some of the most memorable films following this approach. The Woman in the White Car does it extremely well.
When Do-kyung (Ryeowon Jung), a semi-famous writer with a history of mental illness, turns up at a hospital with her badly injured sister, it provides a mystery which will tax police officer Hyun-ju (Lee Jung-eun) more than any other case. She claims that the perpetrator is her sister’s new abusive and controlling finance, but things don’t really add up. The more questions she asks, the more events begin to unravel in the strangest ways.
The Woman in the White Car is a fantastic debut feature which is breathtaking in its inventiveness. Buckle up, you’re in for one heck of a ride. Christine Ko’s film keeps you guessing until the very end. Just when you think you’ve figured it all out, she throws in yet another curveball. Ensuring the plot never stops twisting and turning throughout. The Woman in the White Car is a clever and engrossing crime thriller which will keep you on your toes.
The Woman in the White Car screens at London Film Festival.
