"The Definition of Wisdom is that You Can Still Be Shocked"

Rating: 10/10 (23 April 2005)

I'm not really interested in hearing from the people attacking this movie, because it's readily apparent from their comments that they didn't even watch it after the first couple of minutes-- like one who listens to a song without actually hearing it. This is one of two movies I've ever seen people walk out of during a particularly graphic scene-- this is different from someone walking out of a movie because it's out-and-out bad. In a terrible film, people just give up and walk out at any random point (which I've done, too). Something is effective and effectual if you walk out not just because something graphic is happening on screen, but because you emotionally connect with it, and it rattles you. Violence on film, without context, isn't rattling-- it's boring.
"Oldboy" will rattle you, and I'm sure there's no shortage of reactionary folk who will call it disgusting, offensive, horrid, blah blah blah. Maybe they're right, but it doesn't make this a bad film. You can't look away.
Oh Dae-Su is kidnapped in the film's opening moments, and then held in what looks to be a hotel room (with fortified door and fake window) for fifteen years. This is a 21st Century noir folks, bad things happen. If you're expecting the mainstream violence of a Denzel Washington or Arnold Schwarzenegger movie, stay home. If you're not emotionally involved with this married man, father of a daughter, in the first few minutes, the movie is not for you. It's hard, it's harsh, and though the graphic violence (read: blood) is subdued to keep it in R-territory, it's the psychological power that will grab you by the throat. It's the psychological terror that makes "The Ring" (minus the otherworldly) terrifying, and made "The Blair Witch Project" so deeply unsettling. Again, if you disagree that those movies were scary, you won't like "Oldboy." I can think of no other way to define it.
These are psychologically, emotionally, physically scarred characters. You will travel with them and experience every moment, see things you didn't want to see (not of the blood variety) and learn thing you don't want to learn. If you're ready to go along, then buy a ticket and step inside. If you're not so sure, then I'm sure Denzel Washington will have another movie coming along shortly. Whom I like, but we all know Denzel is going to be okay when the closing credits roll. 10/10, though your mileage may vary.