Siworae (2000) Reviews

• Romance aside, there are other things in Il Mare worth talking about

  harry_tk_yung2003-02-18

  Spoiler warning: These comments tell all, and are therefore only for those who (a) have seen the movie or (b) have not seen the movie but don't mind finding out everything about the plot. There is no question that Il Mare is a wonderful romance story, although the subtle Korean style may not appeal to an average North American audience. What it reminds me of, funny enough, is Ladyhawke (remember Michelle Pfeiffer?). Once you make this connection, however, it's not difficult to notice the striking similarity. In both stories, the romantic pair do not meet until the very end, but for different reasons. In Ladyhawke, she is a hawk by day ahd he a wolf by night. The situation in Il Mare is far more complicated and will take some explaining to unravel. Before the unraveling of the Time element in Il Mare, it is interesting to note the difference in the way the two endings are handled. In Ladyhawke, when the curse was broken and both finally appear together in human form, he gave her a fierce embrace, lifted her slightly off the ground and spun around in a final scene that fills the audience with ecstasy and joy of a final fulfillment long denied. In Il Mare, the finale is handled in a much more reserved manner, when they didn't even touch physically. The joy experienced by the audience here is more subtle. Now to Einstein's Theory of Relativity. The mystery of Time has provided the plot for many a movie, among the most notable of which are: Time Machine, Somewhere in Time, Back to the Future. Similar to these three, the key element in Il mare is an attempt to change something in the past, or to create an alternative "life line", so to speak. We mustn't however let the similarity obscure the one big difference. Unlike any of the other three, there's nobody in Il Mare who actually "traveled" through Time i.e. physically move back to a different Time. This is what makes this movie so clever and unique. It avoids altogether the paradox that haunts the idea of time travel: meeting yourself (your "double"). Il Mare does not have this problem. The interaction is only through a magical mail box which delivers letters between two Times, 1998 and 2000, to be exact. It all starts in 2000, when the girl puts a letter in the mailbox of the house she is vacating, intending it for the next occupant. The reply, to her great surprise, comes from a guy in 1998. Now, we have a situation in which the girl knows in general what has happened since 1998 although she does not know specifically where this guy is in her "present" of 2000. The guy, on the other hand, knows that the girl can tell him things that has happened between their respective "present"s of 1998 and 2000. They finally agrees to meet at a Time that is "future" to both of them, which is two years away for him, but just the next week for her. But when he does not show up at the rendezvous, she is left wondering whether he has changed he mind. Then comes the final climax when she finds out that he was killed in an accident back in 1998 and desparately tries to send a letter back to warn him. In the happy ending, we are back in the opening scene, when he shows up BEFORE she puts that first letter in the mail box. The interesting final state of affair is that the guy knows what has gone on "before", i.e. the exchange of letters, including the final one that warns him and saves him from the fatal accident. For the girl, however, this "reality" has been wiped out entirely! As far as she is concerned, she has never put the first letter in the mail box and will just live happily ever after with this guy she just met. There are other subtleties that I wouldn't go further into. The plot has been very carefully woven, with great attention to details. The movie is well written and well acted, with lovely music, beautiful cinematography, and altogether well worth seeing.

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• subtle, melancholic, magical love story

  nelirehs2004-05-19

  Subtle, melancholic, magical. The movie is almost comparable to another Asian film jewel, Love Letter (1995) in terms of the subtleness and slow build-up of the plot; where the platonic relationship between the protagonists help make the love story almost ethereal, and yet very grounded and real, at the same time. The love story is polite and decent, with different shades of melancholy, that at times it edges into sappiness. However, this "sappiness" is only like a pinch of salt which adds additional flavor to the already deliciously rich mood of the film. In terms of story-telling, cinematography and acting skills, it is almost flawless, and after the closing credits, it will leave you utterly breathless. The mood will stay with you long after you've seen it -- i think that's the magical domain of the film -- not only in terms of plot, but more so, the effect it brings to the viewers. A truly cinematic experience you shouldn't miss!

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• Life of isolation

  lulu882001-12-30

  A heart-wrenchingly beautifully filmed movie -- the cinematography is absolutely perfect and it makes me wonder whether Korean seaside residences are all that beautiful. But after a little while I sense this alarming message -- these days we prefer living in isolation and talk to people we do not know, and even regard them as our "true love" without any real contact (see the booming of ICQ), while on the other hand, we refuse to give the ones around us a chance, as Sung-Hyun did to his father and ex-girlfriend. I am not sure if this is what the movie is trying to say but it's such a sad reality...

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• Epic

  Seolas2003-10-07

  The perfect love story, not too soppy and never boring because of another incredible concept out of Asian cinema. This time, a man and woman are exchanging letters, one in 1997 and one in 1999. Sound good? Oh yes. This is just incredible, a perfect, beautiful, memorable movie with great attention to detail and some exquisite cinematography. One of the best films ever.

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• excellent!

  ebios2004-05-27

  This film is one of those films that makes you think about the story after a few days. The soundtrack and scenery creates a feeling of depression among the lead characters and they find happiness when they communicate to each other about their problems. This creates a slow moving pace, but yet it captures your attention throughout the film because the pain and emotions of the characters are believable and intriguing. The element communicating in different times, like the movie "Frequency", is part of the appeal as well. It's also interesting the way they incorporated the topic of architecture into the story and scenery. Great cinematography and use of soundtrack. It's strange the movie isn't as big of a hit. It's probably because of low budgeting in the marketing department. Anyways, go see it if you haven't, you will be pleasantly impressed.

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