Well, the story is pretty much very predictable once you read the synopsis and after a few minute in the movie, I personally had figured out what was going to happen. Also, be prepared, the beginning is quite slow but this kind of pace matches this kind of movie. The story isn't particularly new. You will probably get a feeling of deja-vue. The story alone I would rate 3-4/10.
But what bring the grade up are the characters. I loved them, completely. They were so real, so 3d, so youthful and refreshing. I could see bit of myself in them. That's is why I rated the story 7/10. Because even if this kind of story have been done millions of times, the characters were actually interesting. They weren't those 2d (even 1d at time), stereotyped characters that we see everywhere nowadays. The friendship was beautifully portrayed. At the beginning, I was afraid that the little bit of romance would ruin it all, as it's often the case, but don't worry the romance is well balanced in this one. About the ending, I have heard people say that it was disappointing and selfish. But, I think that the ending is the strongest part of this story. Any other ending would have been disappointing. It's a very realistic ending.
Acting/Cast 10/10, Awesome, perfect !
The music. So perfectly on point. Honestly I generally don't pay much attention to music as long as it is not bothersome. But, I remember every single song of this movie because every single song went perfectly with the flow.
Rewatch Value : This the kind of movie that is actually pretty boring to rewatch, so I don't see the need. But I guess, if in a distant future, I feel the need for a tear-jerking movie, this one would be an option
Overall, It's not the movie of the year that's for sure. The plot has been overused, that's definitely true. But, if you want to see real art, if you are ready to let yourself be immersed, if you are disposed to open your heart, I promise you that you can have a wonderful experience with this movie. If you have time, give it a try.
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Predictable plot aside (which I found to be the primary issue), there were still several redeeming qualities to the movie that made it well-worth the watch.
Maybe I'm just a little jaded with the influx of all these (usually 90's throwback) nostalgic movies/dramas coming in--in which the main characters all reminisce the good ol' days of their youth--because unfortunately, the plot just didn't do much for me this time. I think that says a lot, because I'm usually a sucker for these types of stories no matter how accustomed I become with the formula. I just didn't feel any connection towards any of the characters, and there was always this vagueness surrounding almost everything (plot, characters, songs, etc.) that were never really addressed enough. I just felt like, as a viewer, I was set to watch point A, then a lot of filler, then straight to point B--and no matter how sympathetic I knew I was supposed to feel towards these people, I just couldn't because there was nothing really engaging enough. I feel like there were several themes that could have been executed better had there been less filler and more focus on the five friends--as a group and as individuals.
Overall, however, I still found myself enjoying the movie and found it to be worth the watch (the fact that I'm also an EXO fan and Do Kyungsoo has a starring role also helped, of course, ha ha). The acting was great (not one person in the cast was slacking), cinematography was beautiful (you can almost feel like you're there, transported into the island with them), and music was easy on the ears (you best believe I Googled 'The Water is Wide' right after finishing, haha). These factors, I found, were enough to salvage the slow-pace, predictability, and foreseeable ending.
I also found myself shedding a tear or two. As a young person myself, I'll always find stories about close-knit friendships and how they deal with such heartbreaking tragedies and push forward with their own lives afterwards to be topics that resonate with me. The ending was bittersweet and realistic, and the particular loss that they dealt with was one that I think a lot of people will be able to relate to.
If you've been wanting to give this movie a go but felt discouraged due to the less-than stellar reviews, I'd say to just go for it... but maybe only when there's nothing else to watch. Compared to other stories also centered around the similar 90's nostalgia theme, this movie just didn't execute as well. Still, this was a great movie for anyone who can watch it alone for what it is, blocking anything else in mind!
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This review may contain spoilers
The film was ordinary yet the sweet and innocent storyline led me to feel nostalgic towards my childhood, and remember lost loved ones.Most of the beginning was a drag, but I guess it’s necessary in shaping up the story towards a remarkable end. The film reminded me of the anime ‘Ano Hana’, yet I don’t want to be so quick to judge.
I’m impressed that the actors were able to portray their roles well as some scenes, mostly Soo Ok’s disability and the other characters frustrations over the tragic demise, seemed convincing.
As heartbreaking as it is, I’m glad that the writers didn’t sugar-coat Soo Ok’s depression by forcing the character to have a tough and never-give-up outlook on life. Soo Ok’s attitude and decision depicted the harsh reality on how hopeless people can get on situations where there are no means of resolve.
The soundtracks, I’m captivated! The combination of western and korean songs was well thought of, and including Karla Bonoff’s edition of ‘The Water is Wide’ onto the film simply puts the cherry on top.
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-- I watched it knowing that it would be sad and i still cried like crazzyyy, and the plot is very predictable. I really wanted to watch it though because of D.O. and So-hyun and plus I really felt like watching a sad movie. This movie was so sweet though.. like the alternative title for this movie.. 'Pure love' I wish someone loved me like that mannn.. just imagine. I kinda want more cutesy scenes between D.O and so hyun, but the level of romance fit just right in the movie. It shows how fast friendship can just be broken like that, because of misunderstandings and stubbornness, arguments occur, it really makes you cherish the friendship you have in life and just life in general tbh.
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The fact that the stories travels back and forth makes us be a little anxious for the ending to come near. I won't lie that at the beginning I was really bored because it takes a while for the movie to actually move. For something to actually happen. But when it finally does, there's no way to explain how the emotions run so quickly and how you end up in tears wishing the slow good moments were still passing by.
The most important key to this movie is friendship. Honestly, I was shipping some people here and there, hoping they'd end together. Friendship nonetheless to the ship and left me broken to pieces. In this movie you can see how friendships are meant to be broken and fixed, how if you have good friends nothing and no one can tear you down & really, having friends it's one of the best things you can have. The love between friends it's really as strong as a bond between lovers. That's what this movie teaches us.
Also there's a lot of lines for family members, how they grow and how they can also be broken.
This isn't a movie of a lot of action, it's sort of indie but it's so important because it's real, it's something that could happen to any of our friends. It's beautiful. Such in scenarios, plot, friendship wise and music too.
If you're still wondering why you should watch, do it for you to think about life a little.
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What I loved about the story was that it's simple yet so complex at the same time. It's easy to watch, but your heart just aches throughout. Many scenes come to my mind when I try to think of my favourite one but there are so many to mention because each one was so important to the story. The whole cast was just brilliant, especially the kids. Their acting was just so brilliant that I could feel each emotion from their acting.
I don't know what else to write I'm still shaking lol
JUST WATCH THIS MOVIE IT'S REALLY GOOD IM KSPDFLK;LK
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This review may contain spoilers
Sad movie with a good song
I like that we can see back in time to something so beautiful, but also very sad.For me the story touched me and made me feel emotions, and I cried the most when someone so dear died from suicide. Everyone cried or was in shock in the moment when she was found dead.
I also cried from the part were the friends was going to eat chicken without the dear friend who died, and I got flashback from the time when she, who died, killed or broke the neck of a chicken they were going to cook and eat together.
Acting ? Amazing, because they were like the characters.
Music ? Amazing, I felt it hit my heart ❤️ really hard, it actually touched me, made me cry from the inside.
I want to watch this with friends one day, so we can be emotional together.?
I recommend this to everyone, because this was so touching, beautiful and sad.?❤️
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kinda boring
had other expectations. i watched this bc of kyungsoo but the movie was pretty predictable imo and nothing threw me off except when the role kyungsoo played wanted to go up to her smiling but she wasn't SPOILER there anymore bruh sad life man. but altogether i wouldn't watch it again tho maybe bc i'm not a fan of films set in older times i guess oopsie so you might like it cuz it wasnt bad.well i skipped much so i cant say much LMAOO sorry but man it rlly bored me (i need to have 500 characters so i basically keep repeating myself now hahah sorry)
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so if you want to cry i recommend you to watch this movie
i liked the acting scene of the kids more than when they where old, but overall the acting was good ^^"
i really recommend you to watch this movie because it been so long sense i watch a movie that made me cry that much, and also the story is so nice and heart breaking.
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