Movie review: Oldboy (2003)
A deeper dive into a cult classic!
Directed by: Park Chan-wook
Starring: Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae and Kang Hye-jung
Oldboy is a 2003 South Korean neo-noir action thriller film directed by Park Chan-wook. The film follows the story of Oh Dae-su, a man who is imprisoned for 15 years without explanation and is then released, only to find that he must identify his tormentor in 5 days or be killed. While the film is classified as a thriller, it also delves into the psychological aspects of its characters. The film’s themes of revenge and justice are explored through the actions of its protagonist. However, the film also raises questions about the nature of revenge and whether it is truly satisfying.
While Oldboy is primarily a revenge story, it also explores themes of justice, morality, and family. The question of justice is a central theme in Oldboy. Dae-su is determined to find his captor and take revenge, even though he does not know why he was imprisoned in the first place. He is willing to risk everything, even his own life, to find the answers he needs. This single-minded quest for justice drives the plot of the film.
The film has been praised for its acting, direction, and visual style. It has also been controversial, due to its graphic violence and sexual content. Oldboy is a gripping film that explores the nature of revenge and justice. The character Oh Dae-su played by Choi Min-sik is consumed by his need to find out who imprisoned him and why. This quest for revenge ultimately leads to tragedy, but it is also a testament to the human capacity for forgiveness.
The movie is gripping and provides a thoughtful examination of the effects of captivity and isolation. The story was originally published as a Manga series in Japan, with an American version released in 2005. Oldboy then became a critically acclaimed film and was nominated for the Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival and won Grand Prix at Deauville American Film Festival.
Oldboy is equally fascinating and disturbing film and will leave you thinking long after the credits have rolled. The acting is excellent, and the plot twists are unpredictable. If you’re a fan of mind-bending thrillers, Oldboy is a must-see.
To sum up, director Park Chan-wook’s Oldboy is a powerful, disturbing tale of revenge. The film’s final revelation — and its shock value — have made it one of the most famous plot twists in recent memory. Oldboy was a box office hit in South Korea and was nominated for Best Foreign Language Film at the 2004 Academy Awards. It also won multiple awards from international film festivals throughout 2003–2004, including Cannes, New York and Toronto International Film Festivals’ audience awards.
Oldboy is a complex and powerful film that explores a number of important themes. Revenge, justice, morality, and family are all examined in depth, and the film ultimately offers a nuanced and thoughtful look at these concepts
Final rating: 9/10
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