Jump to the good stuff: The Story | Some Thoughts | The Final Verdict
The Story:
Antique is about a gay baker working for a man who spurned his advances when they were in high school.
In 1997, gay high school student Sun-woo (Min Seon-woo) admits his attraction to fellow student Jin-hyuk (Ju Ji-hoon), who in turn calls him names and then pushes a cake into his face.
What follows is a montage of events involving the two that lead up to 2008. The film then shows Jin-hyuk, heir to the family fortune, sitting at a table with his parents to tell them that he’d quit his job to open a bakery in order to meet women. Although his parents aren’t pleased that he’s unemployed, they’re excited about the bakery and the chances of him finding a woman to marry.
Jin-hyuk interviews Sun-woo, a talented pâtissier, and recalls the day he threw the cake in his face. Luckily Sun-woo doesn’t recognize him, nor does he seem to care when Jin-hyuk mentions it. During the interview, Sun-woo tells him about the troubles he’s had working for people. His employers–all of them men–have fallen in love with him, which became problematic. Despite this, and because of his reputation as a fine pâtissier, Jin-hyuk hires him. He also takes on Yang Ki-beom (Yoo Ah-in), an ex-boxing champion, to be Sun-woo’s apprentice. And when business picks up, uses his bodyguard, Nam Soo-yeong (Choi Ji-ho), as a waiter.
As the four men work together, they get to know each other and their troubled pasts are revealed, along with Jin-hyuk’s connection to a series of missing children.
Some Thoughts:
Because Antique has a lot going on, especially when it comes to the characters’ backstories, you need to pay close attention. Luckily the film looks good, and the cast work well together. And although the movie is delightfully outrageous, it’s not a comedy. I can only describe it as an amusing drama with a bit of mystery.
The first half of the film has so much going on that it’s easy to feel lost, but everything comes together in the second part. Some of my confusion comes from the montage that quickly rushes through the events between 1997 and 2008. Luckily all of it is revealed by the end. And because of that, it’s on my list of movies to see again.
The characters are intriguing enough to hold your attention, and it’s well paced. And although the story is outlandish, the characters’ motivations are clear. Nothing feels forced or too over the top.
The Final Verdict:
Antique has a complicated story about four men working in a bakery. It’s quirky, original, and entertaining.
