Brilliant, Disturbed & Flawed

Rating: 7/10 (29 October 2005)

OLDBOY really affected me - I hadn't seen something like this in a long time - something that truly did creep me out. I agree the film has its problems but the acting is sterling (especially the lead guy)there are some amazing sequences of action and emotion and violence and some terrific camera-work. I hate it though when people have to react so violently when they don't like something - okay, so you disagree with some of the strong reviews and awards this film got. Fine. You didn't like it. Okay. But you all are hypocrites when you lash out at others who don't share your opinion. You liked this?? Bull****! This seems to the main thrust of many of the negative reviews and I don't get it. I get that you may not have liked OLDBOY. I have many times not liked films that the mainstream gushes over and throws awards at: I think Forrest Gump is incredibly overrated, but I don't lash out at those who embrace it. The main plot turn of this movie - guy in drunk tank, gets bailed out, stops to make phone call in the rain, boom - you wake up somewhere and you are a prisoner. If you go with that in pulp fiction kinda way - it really is quite disturbing. And the process of someone trying not to go mad, trying to work out in their mind all the people they have wronged - powerful stuff - especially when the lead actor is so strong. Plus the infamous loooong hallway fight with him and his hammer - slowly moving down the hall in all camera shot - it is great. Can totally understand that this film would not be everyone's cup of tea - but I enjoyed it - flaws and all.