Old Boy

Throughout the film 'Old Boy', it is difficult to discern who has control over the characters. During his fifteen year incarceration, our protagonist finds himself close to the television. He finds that the television is his only real friend. The television, however, puts one in a very vulnerable position. One is distracted and separated from the outside world. It is a powerless, feminine way of looking. This seems to be a metaphor for the violent response to becoming the object of gaze, instead of the spectator who holds power. Then, our protagonist becomes a hyper-masculine character-- training and becoming almost a monster. Even though he tries to hold power... he is constantly followed and spied on upon release from his prison. Does he ever truly regain his power--masculinity-- ability to objectify rather than to be objectified?