Perverse and disturbing, but well-made

Rating: 9/10 (18 April 2005)

*Spoiler Warning* This movie will affect people in many different ways, but most will say that it's the most disturbing movie of the year. Oh Dae-su is the perfect study of turning the life of an ordinary, flawed man into that of a monster through the most horrific psychological and physical torture imaginable. It's as if someone thought of the most immoral, darkest dreams and put them on screen for you to witness. I could barely watch the last part because of the emotions that were torn out of this man. It was like watching the destruction of his soul, especially when he was subjected to listening to his lovemaking and his desperation to keep it a secret. As far as the cinematography, music and color usage, its use of filth, darkness and dank in contrast to the cold, gray, immaculate penthouse of Joo-wijyn (sp?) was brilliant, and the modern soundtrack was well-done. If you enjoy story lines like Memento and Matrix with the sick scenes of the Cell or Happiness, then you probably would find this movie fascinating. I give this movie 9 out of 10 only because it isn't the type of film I'd like to watch over and over again.