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Title: A Tale of Two Sisters (Two-Discs) (2005) |
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Review of A Tale of Two Sisters (Two-Discs)
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Comments for A Tale of Two Sisters (Two-Discs)
- Posted on 2008-04-28
Ambitious, intelligent but not altogether successful
Aiming more for the kind of study of the after-effects of loss that Don't Look Now delivered rather than the shocks of the likes of The Ring or The Grudge cycles, A Tale of Two Sisters really did little for meon a first viewing. Psychologically accurate it may be, but it's not terribly involving for its first hour and the would-be shocks in the second are over familiar to anyone who has seen even a couple Asian horror films. Nor does director Ji-woon Kim seem particularly interested in making it easy for the audience to work out what's happening even at the end, while once it is explained I couldn't help feeling it could have been handled much better. 10/10 for ambition, 5/10 for achievement.
The extras on the two-disc release are very good BUT infuriuatingly the director's commentary over the deleted scenes cannot be turned off, which is especially annoying during long dialogue scenes.
Score: 3
- Posted on 2008-03-24
There are a few things that confuse me! HELP!
Hi~
I have watched this movie three times-- and I am not stupid. There are a few things I do not understand-- can someone PLEASE clear this up for me:
1.) WHO is in the bag-- the bloody bag--- that is being pulled all over the house and beaten?
2.) Does the older sister DIE in the end-- in the hospital-- seems that way to me--- hence, she is alone at the end of pier at the end?
3.) OKAY-- the hand drops down from the ghost's gown---- WHO DOES THE HAND BELONG TO?
4.) It says on the DVD box there are "hidden" letters somewhere on the DVDs written -- each sister wrote one to the other.... WHERE THE HECK ARE THESE HIDDEN LETTERS?!?!?!??! THIS IS DRIVING ME NUTS.
5.) WHY exactly does the younger sister -- get back at her stepmom-- when, from what I can see--- she didn't have ANYTHING to do w/ ANYTHING.
OKAY.
That is all for now..... I may think of something else later--
BUT WHO IS IN THE BAG??????
ugggggghhhhhhhhhhhhhh!
misti
Score: 4
- Posted on 2008-03-21
Twisted Sister (dvd features below)
A tale of two sisters like The Innocents made me wonder if this is a horror film about a character's mental state or is it a ghost story. It's a little of both but more so a ghost story.
For those who have seen this film the title is a kind of wink at Charles Dickens A Tale of Two Cities if your familiar with the concept of that story. I mean that in comparing the two sisters to the two cities not just the title itself which is obviously more direct.
The film has some effective scares that will make you jump along with a good DTS track so keep the volume turned up. Also has some freaky visuals.
A Tale of Two Sisters is also a very good looking film with nice cinematography and an effective score.
The plot isn't exactly linear, I would advise whoever is going to sit down and watch this film to have as little interruptions as possible and pause it for bathroom breaks. The very first scene is key so make sure you pay attention.
This could have gotten five stars but my one negative would be it was just a bit too confusing and after it is over you do end up asking yourself a lot of questions and there are some plot holes but I did not however get a chance to look into some of the special features which may fill in some of these holes. Overall this is a very well done horror film that I'd recommend.
DVD
DISC 1 Subtitles English and Spanish - Commentary w/ Director, Cinematographer, and Lighting Director - Comm w/ director and stars- Dolby digital 5.1 and DTS 5.1 - Original promo footage - Hidden feature: A letter from Su-yeon
DISC 2 Behind the scenes - Cast interviews - Deleted Scenes - Post Production Docs - To the viewer Director's Analysis - Psychiatristi's Perspective - Hidden Features : A letter from Su Mi - Photo Gallery
Score: 4 - Posted on 2007-10-11
A creepy masterpiece that resonates with emotional power
A Tale of Two Sisters is billed as a horror movie, but please don't confuse this fascinating, multi-layered story with the sort of simple-minded horror films coming out of Hollywood. The stigma attached to horror movies in the West doesn't apply when you talk about Asian horror - solely because Asian filmmakers continue to develop horror as an art form built upon subtlety, complexity, and the deepest of human emotions. A Tale of Two Sisters is high art indeed. There are some genuinely creepy scenes in this movie, but that is not where the true horror of the story lies - and that is what makes this such a mesmerizing movie.
This isn't a simple tale, as it starts you out feeling a little unbalanced and compels you to figure out what is really going on as reality and fantasy begin to blur more and more. You might be confused at more than one point. And then, once you've had your Aha moment, the film continues to pull you down dark, twisted paths. This is truly an unforgettable film that virtually compels you to watch it through a second time.
When you see this film - and you really should see it - it's important that you leave your Westernized expectations behind you. This isn't about things that go bump in the night - although, as I've said, several scenes are deliciously creepy. This is a tragic and exceedingly human story about the love between two sisters, terrible events that shatter the lives of their whole family, and the debilitating effect that regret can have on a person. I am not even going to describe the plot of the film here because it should be seen without any expectations by the viewer. The film is so complex and beautifully structured that every little thing that happens is important. That's why a second viewing leaves you even more impressed than you were after the first viewing. Kim Jee-Woon is a true craftsman of the art of moviemaking, and young Su-jeong Lim and Geun-yeong Mun are really quite amazing in their portrayal of the tragic sisters.
Some seem to find the film too confusing, and I'm not sure why this is. It's true that the story invokes flashbacks at times, but there are plenty of clues along the way - and the main revelations are quite forcefully presented. In a sense, the movie moves forward in order to take you backward, back to a beginning in which all things are made clear. It's a rich and amazingly moving way to tell a story, especially when that story resonates with as much emotional power as this one.
Score: 5