Missing the point

Rating: 8/10 (29 January 2006)

While I don't think this film was by any means a masterpiece I don't quite understand the derision its receiving.
I think it's important to remember to not take this film out of context, it's surreal and highly stylised because its like a Manga cartoon. This is where i think it derives many of its driving themes/styles. So please before condemning this film for being unrealistic, it's not meant to, or too violent, much of the violence is necessary to establish the characters motives it's not just stylistic.
I don't understand issues over the 'gratuitous' violence, very little of which we actually see. Compare Saving Prv Ryan far more gratuitous, it's war we know people legs etc blown off there no specific reason to show it. Lets not forget the guy has been incarcerated for 15 years and he doesn't know why. Not that I can being to speculate as to psychological condition of such an individual but I suspect that you might be a little gnashed off. I think I would be willing to rip the teeth out of someone responsible to find out why.
Regaring the climatic scene (it seems people had the most problem with this) I don't think Dae-su cuts his tongue off because he sympathises and wants to illustrate his regret to Woo-jin Lee. If that was the case why did he try to kill him with the devise he thought was controlling his pacemaker. His motive is to protect his daughter from finding his identity. If as I suspect Woo-jin never intended to kill Mido, although unknown to Dea-su, he simply wants to visit a punishment to Dea-su that he sees as appropriate. Further he wants Dea-su to understand what he has done, the repercussions of his actions. Don't forget that Woo-jin says something like " We didn't hypnotise you to erase the memory of what you said to initiate the rumour you just forgot." Woo-jin wants Dae-su to suffer a similar pain and, I think, for him to recognise his role and feel guilt/remorse. Dae-su realises Woo-jin wants a recognition of his transgressions and so must convince Woo-jin that he regrets what he did hence he cuts out his tongue because he 'talks to much' what could be more appropriate. This is sufficient to satisfy Woo-jin he promptly kills himself, his work is done "now, what joy will I have left to live for?" . Dae-su is driven to this act only to protect his daughter it not gratuitous or wanton its absolutely necessary, because it alludes to lengths he will go to to that end. But does he have himself hypnotised to prevent her from finding the truth or because he cant bear the trauma of the monster he has become.
There were many comments regarding the octopus scene. The guy has had no contact with living beings bar a guard giving him food through the hatch for 15 years. Further all he's eaten during this time is dumplings. I think the scene has the effect of illustrating his desire to connect with something living. Whether human or not.