FOR THOSE OF YOU WHO HAVE YET TO SEE DECISION TO LEAVE, THIS IS A NON-SPOILER REVIEW.

Lost in the Reel’s video review for Decision to Leave

Park Chan-Wook, the director of Oldboy, Lady Vengeance and The Handmaiden, is in my opinion, one of the greatest filmmakers working today.  While Bong-Joon Ho is the household name from South Korea, due to his groundbreaking work on Parasite, I hope this new film Decision to Leave will do the same for Chan-Wook.  This tale of forbidden romance, obsession and longing is the director’s most accessible work to date… and even though it might not be his best work, it’s still one of the very best of the year.  

WHAT IS DECISION TO LEAVE ALL ABOUT?

Decision to Leave follows Detective Hae-jun, who is working on a case revolving around a man who fell to his death after climbing a mountain.  Though it could be an accident, or a suicide… the police are not ruling out murder and the man’s widow Seo-rae, is the prime suspect.  As the Detective digs into the woman’s shadowy past, he slowly starts to fall in love with her… even though the clues piling up lead straight to her guilt.

HOW CAN THIS FILM BE BEST DESCRIBED?

The one word that came to my mind while watching Decision to Leave was: playful.  That’s a word that I normally would not use to describe a Park Chan-Wook film.  The director is known for his gritty, sometimes brutal, and nihilistic works, so it was refreshing to get something so different from him.  From its surprisingly effective humor, to the whimsical score, elaborate twists, and turns, all the way to the creative camerawork… Decision to Leave sees the director finally letting loose a bit and being truly playful in his approach.  And this is why I think the film is going to be much more accessible than his other works.  While it still has all of the director’s staples that make him such an accomplished artist, it’s also just a damn fun movie to watch too.  

HOW IS THE MYSTERY? AND THE ROMANCE?

There are a few reasons that Decision to Leave is so wildly entertaining.  First and foremost, the mysterious narrative will continuously keep you guessing from beginning to end.  While you might catch on to a few things, there are so many intricate details to this plot that will keep you speculating and in constant suspense.  The tug-and-war of this forbidden romance is so riveting… as Park Chan-Wook and his collaborative writing partner. Seo-Kyeong Jeong never takes the easy way out with it.  Instead of just throwing these characters into an instant physical affair, as any American film would, the writers play with longing as a form of unbearable tension.  With a yearning gaze or the spark of a soft touch, the desire these characters have for one another runs so deep… But, it’s the boundaries keeping them from acting on their impulses, that make this film so exhilarating.

SHOULD PARK CHAN-WOOK BE NOMINATED FOR AN OSCAR?

Another key aspect of what makes this film so great is how intoxicating it is to look at.  Chan-Wook’s visual language is unparalleled, and what he is able to do with his camera is nothing short of brilliant.  The director uses every trick in his arsenal to push the momentum of the film forward, though there are only a few action scenes in Decision to Leave… there is propulsion to the filmmaking that makes it feel as if it is an adrenaline rush.  I know there are a lot of prestigious directors coming out with films this year who are surely going to be in contention for the Oscar… But, it would be a shame if Park Chan-Wook was left out of the conversation.

HOW ARE THE TWO LEADS?

And lastly for my positives… the performances of the two leads are absolutely incredible.  Park Hai-Il, who is most well-known for starring in Bong Joon-ho’s The Host and Memories of Murder, captures the desperation and exhaustion of a man on the verge of a breakdown, so perfectly.  And the way he lights up when in the presence of his co-lead is so rousing.  But, it is Chinese actress Tang Wei who is revelatory here.  I’ve only seen her once before in Ang Lee’s Lust Caution, but I was just blown away by her performance.  This is a difficult character to pull off as endearing because you never really know Seo-rae’s ulterior motives… But, the actress’ screen presence is undeniable, and you can’t help falling for her, just like our protagonist.  And the chemistry between the two of them allows this to be the sweeping, epic romance that it eventually becomes. 

ANY ISSUES WITH THE FILM?

While it is truly hard to find any flaws with Decision to Leave, there’s one thing that I think hindered it a bit.  This film is separated by two clear, defining acts… one that takes place in Busan and the other in the foggy city of Ipo.  I think that the first act is so strong and truly stands on its own, while the second loses some steam until its chilling, heartbreaking finale.  It’s nothing that ruins Decision to Leave by any means, but the first act could have honestly been its own movie and I would have been totally content with it.  

IS DECISION TO LEAVE WORTH YOUR TIME?

This might not be the director’s most hard-hitting or important piece of filmmaking… but, I think it’s definitely his most enjoyable.  I was enthralled by the mystery, captivated by the romance, and delighted by the humor.  Decision to Leave is another definitive reminder that South Korea is producing some of the best cinema in the world right now.  This is not to be missed.

Decision To Leave will be In Theaters on October 14th, 2022.

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