First of all, this movie brought two persons to my mind: Tim Burton and Johnny Depp. (A movie could raise worse associations, I guess.) In this movie, I sensed an atmosphere similar to many movies one or both of them have been involved with. The concept of "normal" is questioned and twisted around. Imagination can fly free and being "weird" is acceptabale - and even adorable!
I think Rain had a really Deppish role in this movie. Il Soon is eccentric, peculiar and sees the world in his own way. He is kind, child-like person carrying deep scars from his past. In addition, he, too, has dark, beautiful eyes and he wears a weird "hat" - count all Depp's roles in which he has worn some extraordinary headgear!
Lim Su Jeong does a superb job in the main role as well. Her Young Goon is indeed a very cyborg-like girl with great expressions. There were some very cute scenes with these two characters and you just have to love them both. If you know the American movie "Benny & Joon", here you have Korean Sam and Joon.
I really liked this movie a lot. I have to admit that I didn't like it as much when I watched it the first time. I thought the beginning was a bit slow and it took me some time before I realized where the movie was heading for. I had also some difficulties to follow the plot from the subs and I think I missed something because I can't understand Korean. When I rewatched this movie I understood a lot more from the start and noticed new little details that were part of the big picture.
However, I couldn't fully love this movie because I couldn't help but to reflect on the reality behind the film - how mentally ill people have been - and are - treated. How "normal" people judge others as mentally ill and close them to institutions, out of sight. This wasn't the main issue in the film, though it was touched upon. I think there would have been the potential for more.
The soundtrack was excellent. The music was in an important role creating the movie's atmosphere. In some scenes the music was in a strong contrast with the action on the screen and thus made the viewer to view the scene in a different ligth.
If you want that everything is logical and reasonable and you don't like fantasy elements, don't watch this movie. If you like movies with a little twist on the weird side, movies that are about people who don't see the world like "the normal people" do, you might really like this movie.
P.S. If you don't get the ending of the movie first, don't worry; I didn't get it either. I missed the crucial point but fortunately I found the explanation in some comment and then everything made much more sense. Just watch the last 10 minutes or so carefully. :)
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