Movie Digest
Park Tae Goo is a fugitive who ran away after an assassination. He was the star gangster in Mr. Yang’s gang. After his sister and nephew are killed intentionally by another gang, he goes after their leader and kills him. He then hides out on Jeju Island. There he encounters a former gangster Kuto and his niece Kim Jae Yeon. Jae Yeon is terminally ill and has little time to live. Jae Yeon and Tae Goo join hands to face whatever comes their way.
The Feel-Good Part
The cinematography is excellent. Silence and sound are flawlessly balanced. The movie constantly keeps the viewers on the edge of their seats. It takes them on a roller coaster ride. Even a little bit of the plot is crucial to the story. If a bit of the plot is absent, it ruins the balance of the story. The scenes of Jeju Island are beautiful. Although the storyline seems a little predictable, it does not disappoint or reduce curiosity. The dialogue exchange between the main leads is less, while their body language fascinates the viewers. A shade of romance adds depth to the movie.
The Disappointing Factor
There is no humor or happiness in the entire movie. Those who look for violence and humor in a movie may be less satisfied. It might become too sad at one point. A lot of blood, gore, and violence is present in the movie, which is not suitable for the weak-hearted. The portrayal of the terminal illness of Jae Yeon is gloomy. The character development and all the bloodshed take place at a slow pace. The plot is somewhat depressing and might trigger a small part of the audience.
In-Depth Analysis
The difficulties of living a gangster’s life come into the picture. All the bloodshed would be a gangster’s daily life, but that doesn’t mean that the fear of losing dear ones is absent. The fear of losing disappears when there is nothing left to lose. In this case, Tae Goo’s loss of his sister and nephew makes him braver while facing problems. Tae Goo was willing to change his lifestyle for his sister’s and nephew’s sake, but it was too late, and he lost them forever. The movie focuses on the worth of life through Tae Goo’s family and Jae Yeon’s illness. On the other hand, the title is misleading. Jeju Island is considered a heavenly place, and since Tae Goo flees to the place, it is named so.
Star Power
Uhm Tae Goo as Park Tae Goo and Jeon Yeo Been as Kim Jae Yeon establish unique personalities. Their on-screen interaction is good. Their body language speaks more than the dialogues. They, along with the rest of the cast, help in the movie’s success.
Overall Opinion
Although the movie had initially taken a predictable path, it is worth watching because of the delivery of the plot.
