Sometimes a movie comes out that is so far "out there" that it's really hard to explain, let alone review. That is the new Spike Lee directed, Oldboy.
Oldboy stars Josh Brolin as Joe who in 1993 is working at an advertising firm. He is a horrible drunk and pretty much a piece of terrible trash of a man, and father. He has a 3 year old daughter that he neglects routinely. He makes passes at married women, and spends the majority of his time drinking, lying and scheming. He is hated by virtually everyone in his life.
Somehow while on an all night drunken bender, he finds himself locked in a hotel room. Or what he thinks is one. He soon learns that he is being held prisoner in a room with no windows, or doors but does resemble a cheap hotel room. He ends up being held captive there alone for over 20 years, never seeing anyone. He completely goes crazy in some regards never knowing why, or seeing his captors. He also learns through TV, that his ex-wife has been brutally murdered and he is the prime suspect with tons of forensic evidence found at that scene.
He is then released after being knocked out and finds himself out in the world with some cash, a new phone and a new suit. He begins his new life with revenge in his heart and strikes out to find out who kidnapped him and held him captive. As he gets closer to some kind of answer, he comes face to face with the man responsible for it. And Joe is given an ultimatum that is the key to his being exonerated for the murder he didn't commit. But the deal is brutal and horrible.
He meets a young Doctor named Marie (Elizabeth Olsen) who helps him get patched up and then helps him in his search for the clues he needs to be a free man. But will Joe ever really be free? That is the underlying meaning of Oldboy.
Should be noted, this is incredibly violent with numerous bloody fight scenes, and gruesome death blows. Oldboy is not for everyone, as it is very strange and totally adult. This, in fact deals extensively with virtually every single, very adult topic and situation there is. This movie is relentless in stepping on your neck and not letting you up. It is heavy, depressing and exceedingly dark. This is not easy to watch movie making.
I am a Brolin fan, and he is very good here as the multi-faceted Joe. But the bigger star is Olsen. I have become a huge fan of hers, and I hope to see more of her. She is Ashley and Mary-Kate's sister and is far more talented, and serious of an actress than the twins. She is a real actress and there are very good things ahead for her. She is terrific here in this movie that is not so easy to watch, but she is.
Oldboy. This is tough movie viewing for a niche audience at best. Tough Stuff.
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