MOVIE REVIEW: South Korean film “Decision to Leave” releases in Denver

Movie Review: Decision to Leave

A Korean Romantic Thriller

By Mary Jeneverre Schultz

Korean movies and TV series are all the rage with the film Parasite winning Best Picture at the 2020 Academy Awards and the popular series Squid Game dominating Netflix in 2021, leaving viewers excited for the release of its second season.

After watching, Decision to Leave, it’s easy to understand the addiction of binge-watching the dramas and romance stories from South Korea.

“Decision to Leave is a film for adults,” said director/writer Park Chan-wook. “Rather than tell the story of loss as something tragic, I tried to express it with subtlety elegance and humor, in a manner that speaks to adults.”

Movie Summary

An insomniac detective investigates a crime scene at the base of a mountain, which seems like an accident – a hiker falling off a hill. However, because the hiker is an expert, the detective can’t just close the case. The detective and his partner simulate the climb, scan the areas for clues, then talk to the hiker’s widow. That’s where all the fun begins. Through his deliberate investigation, the detective begins to fall in love with the suspect.

Film’s Director and Cast

Categorized as a neo-noir romantic mystery film, the movie is unpredictable. With growing suspense, the movie was produced, co-written and directed by Chan-wook, who also directed The Handmaiden.

After establishing himself as a leading Korean director in 2000 with his popular and critically acclaimed feature Joint Security Area, Chan-wook became celebrated as a global auteur with Oldboy (2003), winner of the Grand Prix at the 57th Cannes Film Festival.

Decision to Leave was released last June in South Korea. With subtitles, it paces slowly and allows the viewers a chance to understand the back-and-forth banter between actor Park Hae-il and actress Tang Wei.

Park Hae-il, who plays the detective, Hae-joon, is a South Korean actor, who began his career in theater. His popularity exploded in 2011 when he starred in the period action film, War of the Arrows, which was the highest-grossing film for that year. Clean-cut, the actor shows a clumsy charm as he attempts to solve the case. Watch out for Chinese actress Tang Wei, who plays the murder suspect, Seo-rae. Wei has been acting since 2007 and has won awards such as Best New Performing, Best Newcomer in Chinese Film Media Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, and Korean Association of Film Critics Awards, just to name a few. This tantalizing beauty takes center stage in this film as she taunts the detective.

Cinematography

The rhythm of the film is filled with high tension and toxicity. The scenes are fantastic, especially the cinematic touch of beaches and cliffside views. There’s even a point of view from fish’s eyes looking up to the detective. Audiences around the world are sure to be captivated by Chan-wook’s depiction of the densely-layered emotions that build up between these two characters.

Decision to Leave is now playing in Denver. Check your local theater for showtimes. Learn more about the film at: mubi.com/decisiontoleave.