A wonderful Korean neo-noir romantic mystery
Decision to Leave is a neo-noir romantic mystery set in France with a Korean director and both Korean and Chinese cast. The film has a unique personality that feels French. The sound effects, mood, and time flips are all subtle yet effective in creating the desired effect. This thriller is sure to keep you guessing until the very end. ..
The building block plot is a simple, yet effective way to keep viewers engaged. Every scene is subtly telling us something, preventing us from getting so involved in the storyline that we miss out on our job as viewers. By denying the liberty of watching passively, there’s little opportunity for relief. Perfect Academy fodder, no?
The sound of the long swipe and organs squishing out are almost louder than the dialogue and definitely speaking truths. This scene is a perfect example of how sound can add an extra layer of interest to a story. By making the sound more audible, it draws the reader in and makes them want to stay longer.
This film is a harrowing experience, one that makes us question our own humanity. It’s a film that forces us to confront the dark side of human nature, and it’s one that is sure to leave an impression on those who see it.
The film, set in the fictional city of Gwangju, won Best Director at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival for Park Chan-wook. It is also South Korea’s Oscar entry for Best International Feature Film to be determined in March.
Detective Hae-jun is a detective who is obsessed with solving murders. He becomes interested in the wife of the deceased, Seo-rae. ..
As he begins to question his own identity, the husband begins to unravel as well. He becomes sleepless and has a growing preoccupation with the suspect. In unison, we’re asking that same question.
Park Chan-wook is a South Korean director, screenwriter and producer best known for films The Handmaiden (Prime, AppleTV), Oldboy (Prime) and the English-language Stoker (Disney+). Known for beautiful cinematography and framing, black humor and often brutal subject matter, he has attained the trifecta with Decision to Leave. While the cinematographer to bring it all together, Kim Ji-yong’s notables include The Fortress (Prime) and Okja (Netflix). ..
Tang Wei plays the Chinese wife of the victim in a film that examines the complex relationship between husband and wife. She is both calculating and pathetic, appearing to be either a victim or maybe not much. The film drives the action, even when she is not on screen or even in the same town.
Detective Hae-jun is brought to life by Park Hae-il, who is recognised for his work in The Fortress (Prime), Whistle Blower and The Last Princess. As Hae-jun, he follows, for perhaps the first time in his long and duty-filled career. ..
Lee Jung-hyun is an ALS-style bucket of cold water as Hae-jun’s now clinical and cold but long-suffering wife, ready to shut down anything that’s not pre-approved or endorsed. In a way, she’s more committed to material proof than her husband.
The lack of development in the role of Go Kyung-pyo’s Soo-wan was disappointing. There was a pointed event that didn’t go anywhere, and one of the few strands not followed through. However, it seems that there wasn’t room for anyone beyond the key players, the main story and its detail so overwhelming. ..
In a recent Korean news story, the title of the article is translated as “Decision to Break Up.” The article discusses how people are breaking up more and more in Korea. It seems like this is a trend because people are feeling more free to express themselves and they don’t want to be in a relationship that isn’t going to work for them.
The decision to leave the EU is currently in cinemas.
