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In case there haven't been enough boxing films recently South Korea weighs in with Crying Fist, a finely-crafted if long-winded tale of two men regaining their self-respect by duking it out. Tae Sik (Choi Min Sik) is a former Olympic champ reduced to street-fighting for a living, while young Sang Hwan (Ryu Seung Beom) learns to pull his punches in prison. Boxing gives them both a new sense of pride but in the inevitable confrontation in the ring, only one can win.

The two stories play out independently for much of the duration, converging only in the final reel - in fact, they could almost be separate films. Sang Hwan's yarn is a fairly standard one of finding redemption through the rigours of training (although why beating the crap out of someone in the ring is okay but doing the same in a dark alley isn't, is a constant mystery). But it's Tae Sik's thread that really gives the film its oomph and, thanks to another outstanding performance from Old Boy's Choi, you can see his pride evaporating as he offers himself up as a "human sandbag" on which passers-by can take out their frustrations.

"BARELY A SHRED OF SENTIMENTALITY"

The grimy, over-exposed camerawork enhances the striking photography and although the sport itself is slightly over-romanticised thanks to the wise old teacher at Sang Hwan's prison, there's barely a shred of unnecessary sentimentality. The momentum sags towards a conclusion that feels rushed but the fact you're not sure who to root for in the final showdown (not to mention the uncertain outcome) makes a refreshing change.

In Korean with English subtitles.