Korean director Chan Wook Park’s Old Boy (2003) tells the story of a man, Dae Su Oh, who for fifteen years is imprisoned in a gloomy, lonely, motel-like room. During these fifteen years he has no idea who his kidnapper is or for that matter, why he is even kidnapped. But he trains daily in hopes that on the day that he is freed, he will be able tear his captors limb from limb. Through this long imprisonment, the desire for revenge begins to change Dae Su from the inside out; vengeance begins consumes his old playful, immature character. Fifteen years later, he is released, and is given an opportunity to play a game with his kidnapper (with a time limit, of course) -Objective: Figure out the reason behind the imprisonment and figure out who the captor is. Reward: A chance to kill the person who held him captive for fifteen years. And if he fails, his kidnapper gets to kill the woman who Dae Su loves. The film follows Dae Su on his quest for vengeance. His quest for revenge brings him to his forgotten memories in which lies the motive to why he was kidnapped.
Warning: Spoilers Ahead!
At 1 hour 32 minutes and 5 seconds, Dae Su thinks he has figured out why he was kidnapped, and has come to kill his kidnapper, Woo-Jin. The scene is very contradicting because Dae Su is the one who is going to kill Woo-Jin yet Dae Su is the one who is pushed back, and made smaller in this medium-close up shot. The close up of Woo-Jin shows that he still has power over Dae Su, and the smirk on his face gives the audience a slight indication that he has a few more tricks up his sleeve. This scene continues to become even more contradictory because throughout the whole film the audience has assumed Woo-Jin to be the antagonist and Dae Su to be the protagonist. But the costumes of the characters say otherwise. Woo-Jin is the one in the white, clean dress shirt, while Dae Su is the one in the black suit. Dae Su is no longer perceived as the victim, but the audience begins to understand Woo-Jin’s heart motive for kidnapping Dae Su. But his plans for Dae Su still remain vague.
The overall set design of Woo-Jin’s house is very murky and mysterious. It tells a lot about the tone of the film but also about Woo-Jin as well. Woo-Jin is a very wealthy man, who is haunted by the death of his sister, whom he loved. Woo-Jin’s penthouse is very simple and impersonal, except for the wall of photos of his sister. It shows how his sister was the only person he truly cared for in his life, and it also shows a reason for why vengeance was so important to him. This film uses the concept of an eye for an eye, but takes it to a whole other level.
Dae Su and Woo-Jin act with strong conviction for their characters that are driven by their need for revenge. To me, Dae Su seems a lot more foolish because he is driven by his need for revenge through rage and violence, while Woo-Jin is calm, collected and cool, and rarely shows any serious emotional side, but it’s clear that Woo-Jin hides all his emotions and feelings of loss. Old Boy is a very different from most revenge themed films because not only does it show the minds of both the victim and the avenger, but also in the end, they both turn out to be victims.
Mr Cowlin: What do the rest of you have to say about Jessica's analysis? Agree? Disagree? And Jessica, I'm not so sure I agree about your use of the word "murky"... Care to elaborate?
I have not seen this movie, but the way Jessica described and analyzed it makes me interested. I can't really agree or disagree since I really don't know what its about, but from what she said I seem to understand and agree. Its also creepy because in the shot above, it almost looks like he's looking at a reflection of himself (they're both wearing white shirts and have neat black hair)- i think that adds to the mysterious part for someone who hasn't seen this. I'm curious to find out more.
ReplyDeleteBe warned - this film is brutal. Honest and interesting as well, but it is brutal. And not in an American Hollywood-way. If you've never seen violence in an Asian film, it can be a whole different experience than Western films. More stark. More honest. Not always, but sometimes. Just compare the two Ring movies, the original and the American remake.
ReplyDeleteWow this film looks really cool and interesting. I love the close up of the man's face because for once it isn't centered meaning his face isn't in the center of the screen. I think it gives it a unique quality because his head is on the left side of the screen. Also the coloring of the camera is very dull and this aids to the "gloomy motel" Jessica was talking about. I really want to see this movie now after reading this hahaha.
ReplyDeletei like how you decided to pick this shot because you said at the beginning Dae Su seems like the good guy. while on the other hand, Woo-Jin is known as the guy who decided to kidnap a person for no reason. however, in this shot the way the characters are placed and how they are dressed makes me thing otherwise. with Woo-Jin in white and from this shot it looks like he has more power. then you have Dae Su in black and in the back of the shot which is odd when he thinks he finally figured out why he was kidnapped
ReplyDeleteWell by murky, I didn't really mean it in the physical sense. I think gloomy would have probably been a better word choice. But I felt like throughout the film, even during the comedic moments, there is this dark, sad, and mysterious atmosphere that looms. And I thought it was due to the fact that the whole film is about human emotions, and reasons for revenge. I feel like it was like that atmosphere remains throughout the whole film, and especially in Woo-Jin's home. Even though Woo-Jin acts like this twisted, emotionless person; in his home you can slightly feel his dark and depressed hidden emotions from his sister's death.
ReplyDeleteThis film looks very action packed and very interesting. I also agree that it is pretty cool how they didn't center his face because thats what normally happens so yes it does make kind of unique. this looks very mysterious and confusing but i want to get a true understanding of what is happening because I'm not certain if that is a reflection. I am looking forward to seeing the movie.
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