Oldboy (2003)

dir. Park Chanwook
writ. Park Chanwook, Hwang Jo-yun, Lim Chun-hyeong, Garon Tsuchiya (story)
feat. Choi Min-sik

There is a moment almost halfway through Oldboy when I thought I might be in an original genre bending film, one that would defy easy categorization and possibly need a second viewing to really grasp. For much of the movie, Park holds onto this possibility, toying with a prisoner held against his will for an unknown reason for 15 years, suddenly let go but not entirely, with his captor clearly still playing with his life, teasing the possibility of revenge. There is hypnosis, self-taught martial arts, secrets of youth, suspicious coincidences and some really wild hair.

But Park takes on too much, dabbling in most of it for momentary effect only to move on to the next moment. My favorite early moment which I'd like to see further explored come as the film races through Dae-Su's 15 years with his suggestion of becoming good friends with the television - his teacher, friend and lover. And there is something fascinating (and certainly memorable) about watching him eat a live squid, tearing it with his teeth and downing it as the tentacles continue to writhe across his face.

Unfortunately, all of these little, often glossy and beautifully shot elements don't add up to a something greater than their shiny parts. When the story finally gets around to providing answers to the many questions, everything hinges on something in the past that feels too contrived and disconnected from our story to be worth all the trouble. Isn't everyone sick of bleached flashbacks of childhood trauma used to explain away a character's twisted deeds?

For a better example of Park's work with some earnest warmth, check out Joint Security Area.