Is South Bound Worth Watching? Honest Movie Review & Audience Verdict (2007)

📖 The Core Premise

With the release of South Bound (2007), audiences are invited back into the world of Comedy, Drama. At its heart, the film explores complex themes wrapped in a compelling storyline. As the plot unfolds, we see characters navigating a world where stakes are high. "Uehara Jiro, in the sixth year at elementary school, is from a family of five; his parents who are both ex-extremists, his elder sister and a younger sister. Children look coldly at their father, Ichiro (Toyokawa Etsushi), who does not work but is quick at lashing out for anything illogical. One day, Jiro snaps at a junior high school student in the neighborhood who ridiculed his parents and causes a violent incident. Being tired of all the fuss made by the school and the response from the child welfare, the Uehara family moves to the island of Iriomotejima, father's hometown. However, the island is in the midst of a row over a development plan to build resort facilities, and the family is sucked into the mayhem. Ichiro and his wife Sakura are arrested, but they break loose. They are forced to live a life as fugitives, and are unable to live with their children. The children, however, understand that their parents do not want to succumb to the establishment and support them."

🎬 Performance & Direction

A movie's success often hinges on its execution. Etsushi Toyokawa attempts to elevate the material, but the direction leaves them with little to work with. The direction aims to balance pacing with character development, a hallmark of good Comedy. While there are moments of brilliance, the pacing occasionally dips.

🤔 Why You Should Watch (or Skip)

Is South Bound worth your time? If you appreciate Comedy, Drama films that take risks, this is likely a decent one-time watch. However, if you are looking for a flawless masterpiece, you might find some plot points predictable.

🏆 Final Verdict

Ultimately, South Bound misses the mark on several fronts. With a runtime of 114 minutes, it asks for a significant time investment, but for the right audience, it pays off.

Our recommendation: Skip It.