User reviews

This is the most romantic and weird film I've ever seen. Delightful and very romantic, this film inspires. I had an overwhelming urge to go home and design something after seeing it. Not to mention dropping letters into mailboxes. Visually, the movie is incredibly beautiful. The storyline is also quite original for a love story. I don't know what else to say except see it, if you get the opportunity.

I remember watching "Il Mare" (aka "Siworae") back in the day shortly after it was initially released. And I do remember it as being a very beautiful movie. So I sat down yesterday to watch it again for the third time.

And while "Il Mare" does have a very nice and original story, then it was a tad slow paced, which could be somewhat of a challenge for some audience to get through. However, I think that it is alright with a slow paced storyline here, because director Hyun-seung Lee uses the time quite well to tell a very beautiful and touching story.

The story told in "Il Mare" is about a lovestory between Kim Eun-ju (played by Ji-hyun Jun) and Han Sung-hyun (played by Jung-jae Lee). They are sending each other letters from a mailbox at an ocean-side house named Il Mare. Kim Eun-ju is living in 1999 and Han Sung-hyun is living in 1997. And even with two years apart, their love grows with each letter.

It is indeed a very interesting storyline, and one that has originality and sinks right in, because it is really well-told by the director.

And while the cast list in "Il Mare" is relatively small, then there is a bigger pressure on the leading stars to perform well enough to hold up the movie. And I will say that both Jung-jae Lee and Ji-hyun Jun did more than perform adequately. They really carried the movie quite well, both individually and together on the screen.

"Il Mare" is a beautiful movie to grace the South Korean cinema, and it is a movie that is well-worth watching, regardless of you having a preference for Asian cinema or not.

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.

After watching My Sassy girl which i truly enjoyed, i decided to watch other movies with the actor Jun Ji Hyun. Hearing that it wasn't that good at the box office in Korea i had little expectation of the movie. But wow was I in for a surprise. The cinematography and the music really establishes the mood of the movie with the isolated house as the main scenery beside the ocean giving a sense of loneliness that the characters endure throughout the movie. The mailbox was the only way of bridging that gap and the movie did a good job of portraying that. But also had a magical property which sends and receives mail at two different years in time. However exploiting it to change the past could have dire consequences. Overall a different but memorable romantic movie experience. Good to watch when your alone and relaxed.

First of all, this was the first time I ever saw a korean film. I only knew about its existence after hearing of and watching the American remake. Sadly remakes have that effect.

Of course that, by being the original, originality triumphs over the remake. The remake cannot be considered original for the simple reason of being a remake.

The plot of both versions is virtually identical. However, the korean version takes place some years sooner and in a very different culture and society. Plus, it has many originalities of its own.

Although as confusing as the remake, I'm much less critical on the original - it is more complete, richer in details, truer, more touching and sentimental and beautifully photographed. Even the actors are more believable in comparison. The remake, of course, doesn't repeat the original's formula and was obviously made to "match" the American standards.

• Il Mare: 10/10

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.

This Korean film is a melodrama. It's a sci-fi melodrama. But the sci-fi elements are on the down-low, in fact--the sci-fi elements of the film are so underplayed, you wouldn't think it's a sci-fi film. The sci-fi element? Time travel. Actually, a limited type of time travel that would also be used the same year in the film Frequency and the next year in the Korean film Ditto.

So, like most melodramas, this film focuses on the relationship between two lonely people, each with a relationship (one familial and one romantic) that they are having problems with and how these two people form a bond themselves.

The time-travel elements are present and are used sparingly, but effectively to drive forward the melodrama. It's actually pretty good with no hugely bizarre continuity errors. Now, the really good stuff about the film: beautiful cinematography, gorgeous sets and location shoots, tempered and well-paced directing and editing and a general "feel" of the the film that sticks. It holds a personality and a charm that's unique to itself.

The acting was decent enough that I didn't bust out laughing, although the same cannot be said for the often overdone score. But for a quiet melodrama film with a healthy chunk of time travel thrown in, it's a very good film. The only beef I have with the film is the ending--if the film removed the ending that it had, then perhaps it would make more sense, but the ending throws off the film a little. Nevertheless, the rest of the film is so pleasant to watch that I can still recommend the film. Just don't think too hard about the ending.

It's good. 8/10.

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...

'Siworae' a.k.a. 'Il Mare' is a romantic film. 'Il Mare' literally means 'The Sea' in Italian. I must admit that initially I wasn't intending to watch the movie cos my intention was to renting another show (it came as a alternative, since i got nothing to watch).

The movie was overall pretty well done. The plot develop rather well for me (yes, I know some of you out there confusing about the time line and so on. but this aren't a sci-fi why bother to figure out about the time line and so on). The details in each scene make the emotional bonds between the two characters even strong. The song also accompany the movie well creating some sad-ding moments.

When Sung Hyun died in Eun Joo's time line, it left me with an emotional impact. Yeah, there is other films when the character died but there aren't any emotional impact. In my POV, I feel that Sung Hyun really gives a lot (trying to make smile wearing the ear muffler, drawing out her ideal house and even try to prevents her breaking up with her boyfriend even when he didn't want to).

For those who are emotional, prepare a box of tissue besides u. Some of my lady friends start crying towards the ending.

This is a movie for a very romantically lonely person,you go the theater alone to see beautiful people suffering from love lost,feeling sympathy for them and have a great relieve at the end of the movie,you must think that those ending could happen in your life too!

This movie is beautiful, come with a very sweet music,the production is on par with any European movie,the script is very well written and there is an element that become a special present for viewer who love a beautifully design things.If you think it's time to have a better movie to replace " Somewhere In Time" in a reference about very much loved sad movie you may give this movie a 10,if you looking for an alternative to Hollywood movie you might give it a 10 too.

Full review on my blog Max4Movies: Siworae (international title: Il Mare) is a romance about a young couple that is connected through a mysterious letter box although they both live in different times. The premise is great, and the time travel aspect does serve the plot nicely. What really sets the movie apart is the outstanding chemistry between the lead performers and the beautiful cinematography. However, due to the at times slow pacing and some cheesy elements, the movie also feels a little longer than it really should - still, it never overstays its welcome.

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!

Sad when good movies don't hit the spotlight because they just don't have the means, but when hollywood takes your idea, it still gets a hundred million in box office when yours doesnt get a fraction of that. I enjoyed the korean (original) better than the copy 'The Lake House'

This is a wonderful film. It is the first korean film I ever saw and I was not disappointed at all. Recently the remake of this movie, The Lake House, came out in the US. I had to see it of course to compare. I still prefer the original.

The music in the korean version is just spellbinding and beautiful. It gives a wonderful lovey dovey/kinda sad mysterious feeling to the whole movie. It kind of connects the whole movie together which I didn't feel in the remake b/c they kept using random music that didn't mix well to me.

I don't know much about Korea but watching the film gives me more of a sense of how it is over there and how things are different from my own country. The Lake House didn't really give any feel as to how the US country is.. maybe b/c it wasn't anything original. There were too many holes in the US version too. And even though I've seen the original a lot, the remake confused me a bit even about the time period. don't even get me started on the other changes they made to the plot, as well as new characters, etc.

The korean film left you guessing more and didn't just hand over the whole plot and clenchers like the remake. There was more emotion in the korean and more surprising. It's so dramatic and heart clenching and ugh.. just makes you want to cry.

Don't let subtitles scare you away.. go find this movie and watch it.

This is a beautiful story about love and it really tries to build the plot around the theme of time and distance and the loneliness that one may feel as a result. There's a saying that goes, "in another time, in another place" and it fits well with this kind of story. Stylistically, this movie has a somber and subtle landscape to it and you can feel this as well with the music choice for the different scenes. This movie is sweet and endearing and its simplicity surely contributes to some of that. Although, the story line did feel weak at certain points, I enjoyed it and recommend it to anyone. If you have a significant other, be sure to watch it with them!

I agree wholeheartedly with everything that has been said, this really is a beautiful and romantic movire. It holds back from spelling everything out like a Hollywood movie would, but the quality of acting means you understand the characters without them even needing to speak. I saw this with an architect who also appreciated this on another level, and would recomend any designers see it to appreciate the building it is mostly set in!

The only thing I can really add that might help people is some dvd info: I bought the Region 3 DTS/Dolby Digital release in NTSC. Sound is great, maily the music as it's no action movie. The picture is non-anamorphic, and not amazing, but doesn't detract from the artful cinematography. One thing to note is that although the english subtitles are very well translated, every now and then a word can be missed off the end of a sentence (they haven't taken into account the maximum line length that can be displayed). Again, this didn't detract from my enjoyment though, as the only lines with this error had obvious endings.

Spawning a Hollywood remake 6 years later, THE LAKE HOUSE (2006), a star vehicle for Keanu Reeves and Sandra Bullock, IL MARE is an emblem of the "pure romance" sub-genre from Eastern Asia, typically in Japan and South Korea around millennium, aiming to the incorrigible romantics, whereas love transmits in its most unpolluted form between two beautiful-looking youngsters, a form eclipses puppy love among adolescents, and imbues a more substantial connection of limerence between two people. In this case, what makes IL MARE a critical standout is its inventive concept to present "time" itself as an unlikely obstacle between two lonely souls Sung-hyun (Lee) and Eun-ju (Jun).

The fantasy premise is that, through a magical mailbox, Sung-hyun, a young architect in 1997, receives a letter from Eun-jun from 1999, who has just left the beach house, aka, Il Mare, which Sung-hyun stays now, and moved into a new apartment in town. The house is a gift from Sung- hyun's estranged father, and he is its first occupant, so clearly, he receives Eun-jun's letter from a nearer future, 2 years later exactly speaking.

This uncanny communication enlivens both Sung-hyun and Eun-ju's lonesome existences, they exchange their stories, both have experienced a recent breakup, with some not-so-serious time- altering happenstances (e.g. collect a lost Walkman in 1998 and send it back to 2000) to bring about their mutual affections. Guaranteed a slow pace with an intrusive deploy of soft-focus aesthetic (if not a bit televisionary) to fabricate a dreamlike co-existence of how perfect they are made for each other, experience their pastimes in two paralleled universes, separately but vicariously accompanied by each other, Lee Hyun-seung's fairy-tale regrettably slumps into a cloying one-trick pony after the midstream, when the novelty runs dry, and some default plot-holes emerge.

One might wonder, since Sung-hyun can regularly meet an unwitting Eun-ju in 1998, why he chooses not to get to know her in person, using the Walkman as a silence-breaker for instance. No, he would rather communicate with a future version of her and laments in his time-line, that the present version only reckons him like a stranger, but in fact, he is a total stranger to her, what does he expect? A more nagging resistance is that, it never occurs to Eun-ju that she should look for Sung-hyun in 2000, not until the moment arrives solely for the convenience of a major plot device, which is narrowly plausible but too conniving to consummate a satisfactory crescendo.

The two leads are not given too much to act since the narrations of their letters take a big chunk of the story, and most of time, they are acting against themselves under a veneer of affected pretty- people-entrapped-in-the-loneliness narcissism with schmaltzy songs in the background, although Jun Ji-hyuan exhibits a tinge of sophistication at a rather young age of 18, augurs her soon-to-be- acquired mega-star popularity not just in her motherland.

'Il Mare' is a beautiful film -- beautifully shot, beautifully written, beautifully acted. It's as romantic a film as I've seen in years.

Two attractive young people live in an isolated beach house two years apart. Each is hiding from unhappiness and lack of fulfillment. When the young woman moves out she leaves a note in the house's ornate mailbox asking the house's next occupant to forward her mail. She is hoping for a letter from her lover, who is studying abroad and from whom she has not heard in some time.

When she gets a reply, it is from a young man who claims that he is the house's first occupant and he doesn't know how her letter got into the mailbox, but that he'll keep his eyes open for her mail. The young woman moved out of the house in 1999; the young man's letter is dated 1997. They are living two years apart, but the house's ornate mailbox somehow makes it possible for them to correspond.

Over the course of their correspondence they open to each other and it becomes obvious that they are soulmates. But . . . they are living in parallel universes, separated by two years. She tells him exactly where she will be on one day two years previously, and he goes and sees her, but of course she has no idea who he is.

The story moves forward inevitably but unpredictably, and there are almost guaranteed to be tears at the end. But more than the story, and more than the strength and beauty of the film's stars, what impresses is the way the story is told: through ravishing colors, perfectly composed images, amazing cinematography, even beautiful music. (Music can be the downfall of Korean romantic films.) There is hardly a frame of this film that could not be frozen and framed.

See it, before Hollywood gets hold of it and spoils it. (It's all over eBay, with perfectly good English subtitles.) This is one to own.

Giving 10 just because zahraa told me to Giving 10 just because zahraa told me to

...but only one in the bathtub in Il Mare.

This film gets off to a frightening start with the kind of piano that here in the U.S. is often used in upscale department stores to imply that love is a commodity to be purchased.

The use of a mailbox serving as a spacetime portal is a nice invention, and there are a few tests and tricks that the female lead utilizes that get more mileage out of that device than one would expect. At the same time, the notion of love blooming in a series of epistles is unfulfilled here.

I don't think that is even the failure of the translating team. The actual letters aren't really what fan the flames of their love, rather it is requests passed through the medium that do. Aside from sharing a sulking sullenness, the two love interests are mainly united by that extraterrestial mailbox.

And a dog. A cute dog. I mean its name is Cola.

Yes the scenery is beautiful... But I had hoped for prose that would rival it. The notion of an architect building houses, with no sense of home. That was a touching line, but it was exchanged with a co-worker not penned to his amor.

The house-on-stilts near the strongly ebbing bay would qualify as a dream home, or even a dream house, for many. Meanwhile the projected house on the craggy coast made me want to quit my job here and go do the clearly more lucrative voice dubbing in Korea.

Having the long walk to the magical mailbox was a nice touch, adding to the anticipation of each exchange. And something about that vastly ebbing tide connected with the two-year gap between our heroes. I think the scene scouting on this was top notch, in a way it was more like casting.

The cinematography was at times fascinating. Great shots from outside to inside the stilts house, a nice revolving shot overlapping the two during the early whirling romance around the mailbox. But then that shot resolved on a clunky splitscreen image. Additionally a lot of the night footage just looked dismal.

The first wrong turn in the series of requests is deftly handled, and subtly unraveled within the next few scenes. The second wrong turn, however, is much more clumsy and makes me worry that the virus known as audience-testing has spread to Korea. Enough said for now...

Ultimately I feel like this would be more appreciated by teenagers and lonelyhearts. A little too simple for my tastes, but at least it gives some hope to the tradition of letter writing in romance.

4/10