Castaway on the Moon - Movie Review

Castaway on the Moon is an interesting spin on the Oscar-winning film Castaway. While the two films are entirely different in genre and their treatment of the subject matter, there are many parallels between the two films. I have seen more Asian thrillers than I can count. I consider the Koreans to be exceptional in that genre. So it was interesting to watch a Korean romantic comedy (which seemed to be the essence of this otherwise hard-to-categorize film).

We first meet Kim Seong-Keun (Jung Jae-Young) speaking on the phone with his creditors. It is evident that Seong-Keun's world is crashing in around him. The tight camera shot pulls away to reveal Kim standing on the ledge of a tremendous bridge spanning the Han River. As Seong-Keun hangs up the phone, he dejectedly declares "that makes this decision easier" and then steps to his apparent death. However, Seong-Keun seems inept to complete even this final task. He wakes up, exhausted, on the shore of a deserted island.

Well, the island isn't actually a "deserted island." It is in the sense that is uninhabited. But it is simply a nature preserve in the middle of the Han. Seong-Keun can see the city from either side of the island. When he tries to seek help from a passing ship, the tourists simply wave at him and continue on. Seong-Keun tries to escape to the closest shore, but quickly fails. He can't swim. As he accepts his destiny of remaining on his desert island, he slowly embraces his newfound freedom. He finds hope in the simplest of tasks, surviving on the rubbish that washes ashore and the seeds that he extracts from bird droppings.

Seong-Keun is not the only person living on a deserted island in this metropolis. It seems that Kim Jung-Yeon (Jung Ryeo-Won) has created her own island, isolating herself in her bedroom (even refusing to speak or meet with her own parents). She is obsessed with the moon, which she photographs in its various phases from the safety of her cocoon. As she scans the urban landscape, her lens lands on Seong-Keun at his lowest point. Her voyeuristic endeavors grow into an intimacy that leads her to open communication with Seong-Keun. It appears that he becomes her moon. As the relationship blossoms through an intricate communication system, both survivors develop new hope. That hope is nearly dashed as their resolve is tested in an interesting and rewarding conclusion.

Castaway on the Moon was brilliantly conceived. The story was written by Director Lee Hae-Jun. The film balances symbolism, emotion and comedy through intricately engaging characters that have endearing qualities. These qualities surpass their short-comings creating an easy bond with viewers. I was drawn to the characters and found the story compelling. Self-imposed exile, despair, hope, new beginnings. Several topics are explored with a light touch that is endearing and often comical. An exceptional piece of cinema rendered with skillful precision. My only complaint was that the pacing felt sluggish at times.

Castaway on the Moon also benefited from solid performances by both leads. While Jae-Yeung is no Tom Hanks, his delivery was interesting to watch. The character that he crafts goes through a decent range of emotion, demonstrating his depth. While we have to wait the entire film to see him directly opposite of Ryeo-Won, their chemistry still seems to spark. The improbable relationship seems sincere and genuine, even though the two really don't know each other. I also enjoyed Ryeo-Won's performance. We get a bit of comic relief from Park Young-Seo, whose role as a delivery boy takes a light jab at popular culture while providing for some lighter moments. I enjoyed all of the performances.

Castaway on the Moon is unrated. There is no real violence, although there are two attempted suicides, which can be difficult subject matter to explain to younger audiences. The language was decent, there was no drug use or alcoholism. Overall, this was a wholesome film that deals with characters in society that are often invisible to us.

I would highly recommend Castaway on the Moon. If you can find It streaming, drop it in your queue. You won't be disappointed. While the film is sluggish at times, it is a heart-warming love story that has enough comic relief and a gentle enough touch to be refreshing. The subtle use of imagery, great performances, intricate and quirky characters and excellent dialogue set this film apart from much of the garbage we end up with these days. It is nice to see something rewarding for a change. A solid 8/10.