Oldboy (2003)

I came across this film on the recommendation of a fellow film geek. He raved that it was one of the best films of the year, so needless to say I was instilled with high expectations. What I experienced was a unique and extremely well-crafted film. Writer/director Chan Wook Park has truly created one of the best films of the year and one of the most visually stunning films of the past decade.

 

Smarts

89%

Oldboy is a wonderfully original take on the classic revenge story. It follows the story of Oh Daesu, a man imprisoned for 15 years without ever knowing why (Kafka's The Trial anyone?) who is then released with no explanation. He vows to seek his revenge on the man who took his life away. Oh Daesu is played to perfection by Min-sik Choi who gives one of the most realistic performances I have ever seen. He has unbelievable range and dedication to the extent where he actually eats a live squid on camera...yum.

The film starts as a mystery/action revenge film as Oh Daesu searches for the mystery man who imprisoned him. Along the way Daesu finds himself falling in love with a young woman he encounters after his release. Now, not only does he fight for vengeance but to protect the woman he loves. Yes, this sounds like the typical plot of bitter retribution, but it gets much better and way more disturbing.

As it turns out, the mystery man knows Daesu and is using him as a pawn in a sick little game to get a revenge of his own. I refuse to give anything more away because that just wouldn't be any fun. But, suffice to say, by the end of the film you should be as equally disturbed and shocked as I was.

Artistically this film is amazing. Jeong-hun Jeong's cinematography is nothing short of spectacular, handling every scene with a wonderfully fresh style. The dark and brooding visuals are perfectly matched with the extremely dark story offering a delicious neo-noir feeling to the film. Park's direction is spot on and comes from a man who has an incredible grasp and understanding of his art. He doesn't pull any punches when dealing with this film and it is this in your face attitude that takes this film to a higher level. From incest to torture to self mutilation, he doesn't hesitate at all when dealing with any of the grim topics this film flirts with.

 

Popcorn

73%

For those of you that can stomach unsettling and graphic images, you will have no problem with this film. Though it is no where near the violence of something like Ichi the Killer or, Heaven forbid, The Passion of the Christ there are still a few moments that might make you cringe. Point in case, a scene where Daesu interrogates a man while pulling his front teeth out with a hammer. I'll admit that I flinched, and I'm accustomed to movies containing such on-screen barbarism.

It also contains one of the more spectacular fight sequences I've ever seen, where Daesu takes that very same hammer and fends off a horde of impressively large men carrying even more impressively large wooden sticks. What's so spectacular you ask? Well, the fact that it is a wide-angle, single take, two and a half minute tracking shot...that's what. The scene is perfectly choreographed and looks incredibly authentic.

The film refrains from using tired old stereotypes and motifs and offers an intriguing mystery of a plot. It keeps you guessing until the very end and then it throws something at you completely out of left field and smacks you in the head with its implication.

To top all of this mastery off, the acting exhibited is packed so full of emotion that you become completely attached to the characters and sucked into the film. Daesu is one of the more badass characters to grace the screen in a while and at the same time he maintains a vulnerability that also depicts him as extremely human.

Just about every component of Oldboy's skilled makeup will keep you glued to the screen until the credits roll.

 

Final

How this film is not more well-known is beyond me. It has a unique style, aggressive direction, fantastic acting, and a wonderful score employed effectively. It is a no-holds-barred revenge film that has no qualms about slapping the viewer around a bit. For those that are fans of Asian cinema, you are sure to enjoy this one. If you are lucky enough to track this film down, spread the word, because hopefully it will get a big enough following to find a distributor and eventually an American release.