Oldboy (2003) Dir: Park Chan-Wook
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For twenty years, Park Chan-Wook's revenge thriller has been considered a genre-defining masterpiece. I have slowly been watching more and more South Korean cinema, but this was the one I wanted to watch more than any other. I did not expect what I was about to watch.
The film was driven very effectively by a combination interesting visual storytelling and well-told, at times poetic, narration. It felt emblematic of of South Korean cinema stylistically in the 21st Century. It was immediately clear to see some of the influence that the film has had on the world of film - not just in South Korea.
Park mixes some very well choreographed action with a number of beautiful shots to create a film with some quite excellent cinematography. I found myself utterly enamoured by the visuals - be it the wide range of interesting shots, or the well-edited together cuts, everything was just so satisfying.
The film had a very intriguing narrative with a truly brutal and shocking twist. Park built fantastic mystery and suspense, while also pacing the story immaculately, to piece together a riveting story that keeps its audience both invested and guessing. It even had some surprisingly comical moments, which were genuinely very funny. The way everything unfolded was just superb, and culminated in one of the best final acts in cinema history.
Choi Min-Sik was phenomenal in the film's leading role. He just went absolutely insane, but it really worked. He was able to channel this unhinged acting into a visceral, animalistic and intensely memorable performance. His facial expressions were particularly evocative.
Yoo Ji-Tae provided the film with one of the most fascinating and devilish antagonists of the last few decades. He has the classic charismatic and sinister intelligence if many contemporary Asian villains, but he executes so marvellously well that he feels very believable.
King Hye-Jung played her part just about to perfection. She was able to illicit plenty of both sympathy and suspicion, which allowed her to execute her role as one of the very intriguing chess pieces that move across the board in the film.
I also want to give two quick mentions to the duo of Kim Byeong-Ok and Ji Dae-Han, who were both really decent members of the supporting cast, especially Ji Dae-Han, who had some really good interactions with Choi Min-Sik.
Overall, I have to say, there's just something about a sick and twisted thriller that hits the spot, and this is without a doubt one of the best. The film is not only a landmark for South Korean cinema, it is a landmark for global cinema. The film is just spectacularly thrilling, and a must watch for any film fan - just be ready to be disturbed.
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