"Laugh and the world laughs with you. Weep and you weep alone." Oh Dae-su
Oldeuboi - Oldboy (2003) is an epic tragic tale of Shakespearean King Lear proportions.
Directed by Park Chan-wook.
Starring Choi Min-sik, Yoo Ji-tae, Kang Hye-jung among others.
Park takes a tragic, blood soaked revenge tale and adds beautifully complex plot twists that lead to Choi's characters trinity of redemption, atonement and salvation. I found it difficult at times to watch the horrific carnage that Chan-wook fills his scenes with. The interesting thing that I observed is that the violence that erupts is needed for the trinity that follows. If the blood did not flow their could be no redeeming. If Christ had not been beaten and crucified there could have been no salvation for mankind. Choi's character takes on a Christ-like mental and physical beating, so that his ultimate triumph is assured. Park's Judeo-Christian religious atonement, redemption and salvation themes are a stark contrast to Kim Ki-duk's Buddhist atonement, redemption and salvation themes in Bom Yeoreum Gaeul Gyeoul Geuringo Bom - Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter and Spring (2003). Both Park and Kim's films were released in the same year.
Chan-wook also has visually stunning scenes that make scenes come off the screen. Park also adds unbelievably complex, choreographed fight scenes that leave you breathless.
I have to admire Choi for taking on such a physically and mentally demanding role. It's not often actors are called to eat live Octopuses as in the scene below.
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