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Tazza is the second feature by Choi Dong-Hun, the director of the slick crime caper The Big Swindle. Like its forebear, Tazza manages to weave together a stylish overall production with a twisting plot and high entertainment value.Also like its forbear, the film runs a little long and could've used some more cutting, not of the aesthetic variety, but just trimming down the overall length to keep things moving. Sometimes the story would meander and there are several characters whose presence seems extraneous. Also, the film wobbles back and forth in time without much reason for the back-and-forth. The use of flashbacks seemed to be disguising weaknesses in overall story structure, hiding the blunted dynamics.Still, despite all these problems, Tazza ends up proving to be an entertaining ride nonetheless, which is a testament to just how capable the talent pool, from director, to actor, to production designers, etc. are. The story itself is focused on a man with a gambling obsession who desires to become a great hwatu (a gambling game using sakura cards) player. Of course, this apparently requires great amounts of clever cheating and manipulation and so the game is a little lost to the crime element, but I think that's where this director shines anyway, so don't expect a Rounders here.Tazza is good simple entertainment. It starts a little slow, but picks up steam in the second half and the ending doesn't flounder, so it finishes strong. However, this piece is quite simply an engaging popcorn flick and those looking for cinematic nutrition might look elsewhere. Choi's kept up mostly from his first pick and seems to have figured out this style. I look forward to what he has brewing next time I'm in the mood to enjoy a stylish caper-ey film. 7/10.
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