Revenge thrillers always had their own niche in the world of cinema. Be it a lover avenging his partner's mishap; or Son avenging his father; or father avenging his descendant; the combo might change but the idea remains same. Especially in Indian revenge thrillers; where the rage ends with the death of the antagonist. From the giant 'Sholay' to the gem 'Thazhvaram'; the idea of revenge had been the same. A different genre in revenge was depicted in the movie 'Badlapur'; where the viewers were put in bewilderment in between the protagonist and the antagonist. And this maze of character swapping was probably brought into the motion cinema by PARK CHAN-WOOK in his 2003 psychological thriller; 'OLDBOY'.
Revenge is given a new face in this movie; and indeed, the most cruel face. The movie shows death could be an easier penance for a person to repay for his sin. When the main character; Oh Dae Su lives with himself in a claustrophobic environment for 15 years, and once he was given freedom, he impregnates his inner self with revenge for the one who locked him up. Ironically, the person who captivated him had the same evil expression towards him; REVENGE. And the modus operandi that was whip-lashed on Oh Dae Su for a sin that could have been considered usual, or small; is the highlight of the movie; to make your enemy do the same mistake you did for which you were persecuted in the past.... Magnanimous!!!! What else could be the best way to take revenge on!!!. Worst would be the impact on your enemy, when he did the mistake without knowing the same. And that occurred to Oh Dae Su; an Oldboy to an Oldboy.
The movie takes jibe on a person's character and how it would change once you lose the social connection; a priest could become an atheist; police could become heist; and a father could become a ...... The theme of incest; a blasphemous subject to take on; was given a newer definition in Oldboy and the instances where it surfaced; the wrongdoers were penalized. But the instance where there was love; and not lust, the penalty was milder. Park Chan Wook had redefined incest here.
An encyclopedia for non-linear film-makers; OLDBOY is one of its kind movie, a South Korean beauty meant for all types of movie lovers in the world which also bestows a warning message to all the teenagers. A must watch movie; of course adult-rated; but not adulterated; that this would have its place in those timeless movies of World Cinema.
LAMA SIGNING OFF
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