Verschollen in der City

Castaway on the Moon is a 2009 Korean film about 2 people who don't want to interact with society or others anymore. It's a sublime under the radar film (to U.S. audiences anyway) that's definitely worth a watch. I caught this film when it first came out a few years ago, and just watched it again recently. Bottom line; it's competently made, totally engrossing, and absolutely terrific...HIGHLY RECOMMENDED!

First and foremost, this film has nothing to do with living on the moon, or being stranded on a far away desert island for eternity; it's actually the polar opposite! Some people (I call them morons) will try to explain that this movie is very similar to/a rip off of the American film 'Castaway" starring Tom Hanks. Although there are some parallels to be drawn, these two films have only one thing in common (i.e. there's a guy that's separated from society). Don't get me wrong, I actually like Tom Hanks' "Castaway" quite a bit, but aside from the fact the both film's protagonists are stuck on an island, these two films aren't really related to each other whatsoever; the primary difference being one movie's protagonist wants to get back to his life, and the other wants to escape it.

What this particular movie is about is a guy who's essentially tired of, and has been beaten down by, the "rat race" that is his life in modern society. He wants to "end it all" by committing suicide, but he fails in doing so, and is subsequently presented an accidental opportunity to "escape from it all" instead. After some initial resistance, he soon comes to fully embrace this opportunity he has been given. On the parallel side, this movie is also about a very odd girl who's afraid of society and can no longer cope in order to function within it. She's long ago "shut herself off" (or, perhaps, "shut herself in", would be more appropriate) from interacting with anyone on any type of personal level.

As the film progresses, these two main protagonists (who pretty much occupy 95+% of the screen time), slowly form an unconventional bond via highly unusual means, and they each come to rely on one another more and more as time goes by while they both try to overcome their own societal fears, concerns, and issues, as best they can.

The way the main characters interact with each other from a distance throughout the entire film is unique, profound, and charming. Both the primary actor and actress are spot on perfect in their respective roles, and they both do a magnificent job of what's asked of them within the framework of the story.

Ultimately, all this really boils down to is just a simple & finely paced film that it is immensely watchable and quite enjoyable. In many ways, it's also a fine little parable regarding what modern society has become over the years, and how we all must interact within it, or face getting left behind.

Personally, I could hardly look away from this film. It's equal parts odd, funny, sweet, sad, beautiful, and it is Borderline Brilliant! What more can I say?...other than; "Korean cinema does it again!"

Highly Recommended! Not Optional Viewing! This is a MUST SEE Film!!!

9 out of 10 stars!

Note: Check me out as the "Asian Movie Enthusiast" on YouTube, where I review tons of Asian movies.

I would assume that the director of this film saw that Tom Hanks flick and said to himself, "Hmmm, this is a good idea. I think I'll take the same general premise and transform it into a unique romantic comedy that blows away genre conventions." He then proceeded to do exactly that.

Some reviewers will claim that "Castaway on the Moon" (aka "Moon") is a rip-off of the American flick "Castaway", but what exactly are the similarities between these movies? Let me tell you. (1) There's a guy who gets stranded on an island, but that barely counts as a "similarity" because in "Moon" the island is positioned *within the city limits.* A man in massive debt attempts suicide by jumping off of a bridge, but he survives and is washed ashore an uninhabited, tiny island on the Han river. Even though he clearly sees the nearby metropolis, he can't swim across the river to civilization so he just stays on the island for a while. How is this in any way similar to Tom Hanks being stranded *in the middle of the ocean*? Answer: it isn't the least bit similar. (2) There are various day-to-day events that are similar (e.g., starting fires, growing a beard, entertaining oneself in simplistic ways, etc.), but anyone stranded on an island would do these things and people have been doing them for the better part of humanity's existence. These were not invented by a Tom Hanks movie. (3) There's an emotional bond with a few inanimate objects. Yes, this is one element of "Moon" that could be considered a rip-off of "Castaway." But that's quite literally the *only* piece of evidence one could muster. Hardly a compelling case. Heck, it's so thin that it probably qualifies as more of a homage than anything else.

So what exactly makes "Moon" so *different* from "Castaway?" Well, for starters "Moon" is a friggin' *romantic comedy!* This is evident at about the 30 minute mark when a hikikomori is introduced. For those who are unfamiliar with hikikomori, it's a severe psychological condition whereby introverts isolate themselves within a confined area and refuse to interact with other people. What the heck does this additional character have to do with some dude stranded on an island? My dear friends, that's the reason why this film is so fantastic, why it demolishes romantic comedy genre conventions, and why assertions of "ripping off" Tom Hanks movies are short-sighted and ridiculous.

If one really wants to milk the comparisons between these films, "Moon" exposes the romantic elements of "Castaway" as run-of-the-mill and dull. Just imagine a Joon-ho Bong film mixed with Chan-wook Park's "I'm A Cyborg, But That's Okay" (2006) and you might get a feel for just how quirky and engaging "Moon" turned out to be. These characters are carefully crafted by first establishing a certain psychological flaw, then allowing the characters to slowly face those flaws through the introduction of the stranded island theme. But how do these characters bond if they're isolated from each other? Watch the movie and see.

Oh, and the previous reviewer might like to know that it was Hollywood who remade "A Tale of Two Sisters " (2003), "My Sassy Girl" (2001), "Il Mare" (2000), "Into the Mirror" (2003), etc. – all Korean movies. And they're planning on remaking more because it's Hollywood that has run out of ideas. If you think Korean films have no originality, you might want to check out "Welcome to Dongmakgol" (2005), "Save the Green Planet" (2003), "Crush and Blush" (2008), "Dasepo Naughty Girls" (2006), "Forbidden Quest" (2006), "Rules of Dating" (2005), "If You Were Me" (2003), "Iri" (2008), "Oasis" (2002), a Chan-wook Park film, a Joon-ho Bong, a Kim Ki-duk film, or about 50 other films that I don't feel like listing out.

You know what, I'll suggest that everyone watch "Moon" and "Castaway" in the same evening for proper comparison. It's obvious that the former has stronger, more interesting, more *creative* characters. A lot more time and effort was put into the script, and it shows.

For almost 2 weeks ago I was told that there was a new movie being showed at out local cinema. I said "cool". Then I was told the reviewers didn't actually know what to say about the movie and just told everyone to go see it for yourselves. Then I said " we should give this movie a try".

We bought tickets, sat down in the smallest cinema room I had ever been in with 5 other people. I asked what the title of this movie was and I was told it was Castaway On The Moon. I thought it would be a rip-off of the movie Castaway but would involve space.

The movie started. I immediately started giving myself predictions of what would happen next. And very early in the beginning I was convinced it was going to rip-off the movie Castaway even thought the beginning of this movie had nothing to do with the Tom Hanks movie.

After very few minutes I stopped thinking. I stopped thinking about everything. My mind was literally not awake. The only part of my body that was there was my eyes and ears, and now I will forever take care them. Because without my eyes and ears I would never ever had been able to witness this piece of unexplainable incredible art!

This film is art. It is one of the best examples of moving art. Moving as a picture that moves, and as in an emotion not possible to really explain.

Even though it's not so to say an English speaking movie, it is still meant for the western audience. In fact it's meant for the western, northern, southern, and eastern audience.

I didn't for a moment think about the composition, the lighting, the color work or any of that stuff. Not even the acting. Everything was just.. well I can't put another name on it that perfect!

This movie has so many messages and shows them all in such a brilliant way! I could only name a couple but I know there are so many more..... I just don't know how to put words on them. Even showing is something I do not know how to do. It's just something you have to see, think about and understand.

I can't tell you how good this is or how bad it is, because it's neither. It's not good, it's not bad, it's something else that stretches above the words knows as good, great, brilliant and incredible. I don't know whatever word that would be and I don't even think there is a word for it or can ever be a word for it! It's just something you feel. And that is what this movie is! It is a feeling! Not a word, not a story! It is a feeling! Everything this movie, film, a piece of art, you can call it whatever you want but that's what this is!

I know this is a lot of praise for a movie and many will probably question what I have said about this movie but I'm telling you, this is a movie you have to see for yourself!

When the movie ended I sat in my chair just watching and listening to the credits, waiting for my brain to catch up with everything my eyes and ears had just experienced. As the last person left I left the theater.

On my way back I was walking with those who watched the movie with me and I could not come up with a single word to say. And neither could my company. We were all just walking without a word and didn't manage to say anything until we got home. During that 10 minute walk, it felt like we were all just trying to come up with something to say about the movie but no one could do it! When we started talking again we didn't mention the movie. We didn't mention it because we didn't know what to say about it.

When I try to explain this movie, I literally say "It's a movie". I say nothing negative about it and nothing positive either cause no matter how many words I use, I could never ever be able to explain it!

This movie isn't a movie. It's not a film. It's honestly a feeling. Which is why I can't explain this amazing experience with words or even show it. It must be felt. It must be experienced.

As the minutes tick by the similarity to the Tom Hanks movie evaporate, leaving nothing.

If you insist on finding western movies of a similar title to compare it to, you'd find more parallels in Moon (2009).

It is quite unique: very satisfying. As weirdly nourishing as the dish featured in the story.

Just watch it. There isn't much to say without undermining the impact.

Unfortunately the guidelines on IMDb require me to say some more so I'll add that in a few key places I wish the sub-titling was more comprehensive. The acting, in particular the girl, was excellent. Leaves one with a certain "mood" that does not dissipate quickly after the movie finishes.

I really loved this film. I am not a huge fan of Korean cinema but after this one I may have to rethink this. This is a funny, moving, great film about two people who find each other. It has been such a long time since something really excited me as much as this film did. No need for a remake this is perfect just as it is. The cinematography is creative and stunning and the dialog is clever and endearing. It is really a story about how a person disintegrates and is reborn and inspires another lost soul to wake up and come out into the sunlight. Reminds me a bit of Wristcutters. Grab some black bean noodles, curl up on the sofa and enjoy.