Customer Reviews
A Masterpiece, a class of its own - By: spooky, 09 Dec 2008 
If you have any confusion over the film, please refer to Message boards on imdb.com for this film & look into the Explanation of a Masterpiece - All Your Questions Answered (3rd edition)
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Im sure you will enjoy or understand the film more, if you have not, during another viewing after the explanation.
Why no oscar for its director ? Oh! its not a western film.
Devestating - By: M. Donovan, 24 Nov 2008 Many reviewers have focused on the overt horror nature of the film, & while these aspects are incredibly well executed they palein the face of the human story involved.
The relationship between Su-yeon & Su-mi is so very tender & loving, with Su-mi being protective & caring, whilst Su-yeon is sweet & dependent. Their relationship immediately causes the viewer to empathise with the two girls & their situation.
The events involving Su-yeon & her stepmotherin this are far more intense & horrifying then the odd moment of shock the actual horror aspects of the story could ever muster. These moments only go to reinforce our compassion & empathy towards the two sisters.
All this empathy & compassion is skilfully built up & used to crush usin the final tragic human scene of the story (not the final horror scene which is naff.) Whenever you think back over these girls you can't help but feel deeply sad & moved by their tragic story.
It is at its core a simple, tragic and, heart breaking human story about two sisters. The supernatural horror & psychology is just garnish, clever garnish. A sad, sad, sad, story. One worth watching.
Deeply affecting work of cinematic genius - By: epicentremaximus, 04 Jun 2008 A Tale Of Two Sisters has morein common with David Lynch's "Mulholland Drive" or perhaps even "INLAND EMPIRE" than with J-Horror classics like "Ring" or "The Grudge". It's non-linear, dreamlike & ultimately more moving than frightening (although it has a few moments). Not surprising that the crude marketing has backfired a little then (see the negative reviews on this site for any recent Lynch film & they are amazingly similar - "worst film I've ever seen blah blah blah").
It's a shame that some people hate being baffled so much by a film, but I can't help thinking that with this one their mounting irritation has blinded them to an absolute gem. Everything worksin A Tale Of Two Sisters. The acting, cinematography, use of setting, use of music & sound are superb, & I just can't see how viewers can fail to be moved by the central story of loss, guilt & grief if they have the patience to stick out for just under two hours of their lifetime. I enjoyed it, & was moved, as much as by "Lady Vengeance", which for me is saying a lot. I'd go so far as to say that it would nestlein my all-time favourite top-ten - it really is that good.
Prepare to scratch your head & then dry your eyes when all (or nearly all) is made clear. Oh, & it's not a competition to predict the "twist" quicker than other people either...
Fantastic! - By: marg twain, 10 Jan 2008 What a brilliant film, I would have to say this is probably one of my all time favourite films! Brilliant cast, brilliant set, brilliant!
Would not say it was a horror film as such,,,just watch it.
Quick Reviews! - By: carlosnightman, 15 Dec 2007 Described as the 'most frightening film since Ring' & a mix of psychological horror, ghost story & drama, A Tale of Two Sisters is a truly complex film with great depth, good performances, technological perfection, & a few scares. In truth it is vastly different from Ringu, but naturally with every Asian Horror movie featuring a long-haired, scary looking girl comparisons will be made. True, Ringu is the master, but this is of an entirely different breed. If you are a fan of Ringu, Asian horror moviesin general then this is definitely one to see before the Hollywood remake, but be warned- it is difficult the first time round, & will likely not be what you expected.
The film beginsin a psychiatric hospital, a doctor tries to get a young girl, Soo-Yeun to explain what has happenedin her past. We then apparently flash back & meet two sisters, Soo-yeun & Soo-mi, their father & step-mum. The sisters are very close, but they have no respect for their father, & hate their step-mum. We do not know why. Soo-mi is quieter, Soo-yeun is protective of her & will not let any harm come to her. They have returned from a mental hospital but we do not know why. There is a coldnessin the house, & a lack of understanding. The father seems passive, unable to understand his kids or relate to his partner, while the step-mum is very strange, ranging from cruel to hysterically happy. Soon strange things begin to happenin the house, noises, frightening ghosts appear, or perhaps they are hallucinations. The whole house is affected, but we do not know if it an evil powerin the house, the threatening demeanour of the step-mum, or if it is all just a mirage. The parents cannot stand the behaviour of the kids anymore, & a confrontation ensues where we finally learn the startling, emotional truth.
For the majority of the film, the viewer will have little idea as to what is going on. Unfortunately this does not always work for the best- true the plot keeps us guessing, but there are perhaps too many twists to confuse us. This is deliberate of course, & we get a true sense of the madness which can come from guilt & anger, although it may be too overwhelming for some. This is a pity as it is a very good film, & must be watched right to the end before any questions are really answered. However, if you enjoy many twists & being keptin a loop then few films are better than this. Admittedly some, including myself will be takenin by the tag-line, by other reviews, & will expect another terrifying time. However, the scary Ringu/Ju-on style scares are few, & the distance between them is long, ensuring frustration for those who want to be scared. When they come though they are intense, & will get the hairs on your arms reaching for the sky. Those are the only complaints I can have with the film, & for a fan of clever films they are minor.
The film's depth is unquestionable, amazing when considering it was based on a simple, popular Korean folk tale. We do not know what will happen next, or why, & we are left thinking about it for a long time after it is over. Luckily the DVD has much explanatory documentaries & interviews which will help. The music is extremely good, mixing the noises which worked to such great effectin Ringu, with touching string numbers to add to the emotional impact. The camera-work is breathtaking, with many innovative angles which will have you on edge, & the tension created is admirable. The editing is deserving of much respect as we get many quick flashbacks, false ones & true ones to past events which may or may not have happenedin the way they are shown. The film looked beautiful, & the scenery is haunting. Lastly, the performances by the small cast are each excellent. Geon-yeung Mun is impressive as Soo-yeon, painfully showing the madness she feels. Kap-su Kim as the father is vacant & cold, seems to have lost any emotions he once had, & tired by all around him. Su-jeong Lim as Soo-mi is very sympathetic, & although she has little to say, conveys everything with her eyes well. The stand-out though is Jung-ah Yum as the step-mum, her wildly changing face & actions are astounding & she is genuinely creepy. We are never certain of how she will act, but know that every second she is on screen is a marvel. To summarise, definitely see this if you are a fan of Asain movies as it is a masterpiece of depth & direction, but there are more immediately scary films out therein the same vein. This will have a lasting effect on you though. This is near perfect thriller, & an above average horror.
This special edition has tonnes of extra features, from deleted scenes, to interviews with the cast, & anin depth documentary with the director. These all prove interesting after watching the film, & offer some explaination to the events of the film & to the film making process. If only all DVDs were presented like this...
