You won't be disappointed!

Truly Dreadful Film

Slow pace in the most part of the movie.

Let me be very fair here, this is not the best movie in my opinion. But, this movie is fun, it has purpose and is very enjoyable to watch.

The earlier Kim Ki-Duk films always had one common theme running through them: Romance Through Sadism. Both his debut film "Crocodile" and even "Bad Guy", The Isle's successor, had the theme of romance mixing with sadism. At times it's physical violence, and other times it's about the sexual sadism. And The Isle is no different among his earlier films, in the sense of the way he conveyed the overall tone of the film. While most of his earlier films did have this similar theme, I have to say that "The Isle" is his most poetic film. While still delivering the romanticism through sadism, the film takes almost an avant-garde route. The film still sticks to the narrative storytelling; Kim Ki-Duk, however, does not take the route of full on Luis Bunuel or David Lynch's "Eraserhead" or "Inland Empire". The closest Lynch film, if anything, I'd compare this to is "Mulholland Drive". The violence, as expected from a Kim Ki-Duk film, is unprecedentedly abhorrent. Fish hooks are used throughout the film by the main couple in one of the most sadistic way you can witness on the silver screen. But it definitely isn't done in the over-the-top and gratuitous way, but in an ironically beautiful and poetic sense. Imagine swallowing a handful of fish hooks, in an attempt to end your life. Or a woman inserting a handful of fish hooks up her vagina and yanks them out in order to get your lover back. That is the type of sadism "The Isle" presents. However, do not think of it as your average controversial film, for the sake of the shock values. There's more to this film than the "romantic sadism".The cinematography, especially the establishing shots of the resort, is gorgeously shot. And the composer definitely knew how to depict isolation and loneliness, as every single scenes with the film score perfectly fit the emotions the main characters were showing. The acting and the directing were quite Italian Neorealism(but of course that's Kim Ki-Duk's style). Isolation, loneliness, sexual sadism, romanticism, and fish hooks. These are what represent "The Isle". And the film definitely is the most poetic among his earlier filmography, though what film has Kim Ki-Duk made that didn't contain poetic elements in it?10/10

The Isle is one of the few movies I've seen in a long time where silence is used to its full extent. It's a movie of very little music, very few lines of dialogue and even the ambient sound is that hollow echo of a lake where everything is muted and misty. And yet it works so well for the purposes of this particular story.Hee-jin (Jung Suh) is a mute young woman who runs and maintains a removed lake fishing resort where a fleet of floating cabins are rented for those wanting peace and quiet. Most of her usual customers are middle-aged men who are mostly interested in fishing, drinking and occasionally her body. Our story starts when a disquieted man (Yoosuk Kim) arrives at her resort, looking to hide from the world.The Isle is a movie of reflection. It's that lazy hour sitting on the porch, drinking coffee, staring at nothing, thinking nothing in particular. And thus, when things start to build up, it takes you a moment to shake off the cobwebs, allowing the movie to deliver some real gut punches. At its heart of hearts it's a thriller, but honestly I have rarely been as nauseated or scared by a horror movie than I was by this one.The Isle is a fantastic movie for someone looking for a quiet thriller that takes its time and trusts itself enough to allow for the suspense to build as slowly as it needs to build. The pacing is just perfect, the story ends just when it needs to and as a whole it's an experience. Highly recommended.

***SPOILERS**** I usually write reviews which are very simple and basic for people like me with not a lot of technical know how of cinema would understand.Various other aspects of cinema only critiques and hardcore movie buffs tend to comprehend are not our cup of tea.That does not mean, we do not understand a good film. Quite honestly, i do not know what to make of this film,especially the ending.Its too deep and very ambiguous for my liking.A fishing resort owner,a lady who apparently loses her husband looses all sense of belonging and living merely in existence finds hope and solace in a guest who has his own story.(left for countless other interpretation)A concoction of two disturbed minds with masochistic tendencies. A lot of people out there might think the girl is really a mute. Mind you She is not.She chooses not to speak.It is just one of kim ki duks trademarks.Say nothing let the expression and the sound track do the talkingI rate this movie a 6.5/10.It takes you on a never ending tube to a persons disturbed psyche.I reiterate Never Ending..Not recommended if you are already stressed.

The film gives you that heavy, unexplainable, load after watching. There's not much child-friendly scenes going on, and that's what made me love this. There's cruelty and profanity everywhere, with the injection of, on its face, irrelevant scenes which were either intentionally placed to stir our brains, or were unintentionally left by a director who lacked ideas. I have to believe its the former.The Isle actually made me laugh, because the scenes were just so explicit, overt and straightforward that I can't help but be amazed at Kim's confidence. I honestly can't believe he had the guts to do all those stuff. He takes the risk to employ moral and social taboos in his films and that's what I like about him. He doesn't hold back just to please everyone.The story isn't messy, too. There's room for interpretations but the movie still gave away its own essence. Actually, if you were to summarize the story, you can do it in a sentence or two. What made the movie complex is Kim's approach. I think he failed on his approach in 3-iron but he was successful this time. Perhaps because he coursed through the more understandable route--hit what you wan't to say in your movie without lingering, but do it painfully straight to scar the viewer--that's what he did! I think any social and moral controversy you can think of can be found in this movie..rape, prostitution, poverty, animal cruelty, torture, lust, murder, name it. It's all here.I can totally understand how some scenes probably scared and scarred a lot of viewers. And I can totally understand how some might view him as a provocateur. I, on the other hand, believe otherwise. The movie might not be accommodating to those who have weak stomachs, but there lies the beauty of this film.The Isle won't bore you, because its either the explicit sex scenes will hold your attention, or the previous metal-eating, vomit-inducing, scene still consumes your thoughts. This for me, is a timeless masterpiece.