Movie Review: <Oldboy> by Park Chan-Wook

I watched <Oldboy> by Park Chan-wook, for the first time @Roxie last night. Still feeling the aftershock of this masterpiece, jotting down my synthesis commentary on it (inspired particularly by conversation with Winona and Brandon) before the emotional wave subsides. (Without much plot spoiling).

On sensory transcendence: borrow this term from my college professor, teaching <West European feminist filmmaking> in my junior year. A good film scene, she says, should make you not only see and feel, but also smell, taste, and touch it. Park commented that he wanted his audience’s body physically tired after the film, not just emotionally.

On rage: The high voltage destructive male rage is indeed exhausting. Park said his understanding of such rage is largely influenced by the violence protest during dictator Chun Doo-Hwan, but in the film, he wants to focus on individual rage, not collective rage. In other words, brings us even closer proximity to the depth and darkness of it.

On visual style: overall Baroque maximalist, but I was especially impressed by lighting. In particular, the choice of using icky green lights instead of dark blue or black for darkness and shadow. Making the whole scene feels even more mystical and unsettling.

On torture: the final scene, stunning performance by Choi, a perverted sorrow hidden in a smile, poses such important question. What is more torturous? Locked away in a hotel room without knowing why and when, or the secrecy of deep shame imprisoned in your heart with no where to go?