Mia “my 3rd favourite Jane Eyre” Wasikowska
Nicole “who’d have though her career would last this long after Far & Away” Kidman
Matthew “not watched A Single Man yet – he is one of many reaons you should” Goode
Jacki “Don’t mess with this grandma” Weaver
What is it about?
After India’s father dies, her Uncle Charlie, who she never knew existed, comes to live with her and her unstable mother. She comes to suspect this mysterious, charming man has ulterior motives and becomes increasingly infatuated with him. Sometimes families can be a little too close.
Why did I want to watch it?
Oldboy is a magnificently macabre and violent psycholocial drama, and in fact the entire Vengeance trilogy is must see cinema so I was intrigued by the first English Language outing by Chan-Wook Park. It’s also scripted by Wentworth Miller of Prison Break fame and was picked up off The Black List – which is a compilation of most liked unproduced scripts in a given year.
Did I like it?
Largely. I’ve read that there was pressure from the studio to change the films original ending and it shows. Whilst the ending is lacklustre, Chan-Wook Park’s visual flair and general creepiness are used to magnificent effect throughout the rest of the film, leaving you uncomfortable in several places, but unable to tear your eyes away from the screen. The studio changes do make me fear even more for the proposed Spike Lee directed remake of Oldboy.
Should you watch it?
Yep, not top of the pile but definitely one to get around too. Also if you are a fan of a pair of fine eyes – Matthew Goode is suitably too-handsome-to-be-wholesome.
Other films it reminds me of:
Cronos would make an excellent double bill with it.
Watch this instead/as well/before/after:
Watch the Vengeance Trilogy: Sympathy For Mr Vengeance, Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance after Stoker to see what Chan-Wook Park can really do!
ELC
What Have You Done To Deserve This? 