Movie review: Park Chan-wook’s ‘Decision to Leave’ makes its UK debut
The romantic crime thriller has won multiple awards since its initial May release, but what is the neo-noir mystery film about, and is it worth the watch?
A story of toxic love. Image: MUBI.
South Korean director Park Chan-wook made his name for revenge violence films with Oldboy in 2003, and then for sensual desire in The Handmaiden in 2016. This year, the critically acclaimed director tried his hand at a romantic crime thriller with Decision to Leave.
What is Decision to Leave about?
Set in modern day Busan, Decision to Leave follows the story of an overworked detective, Hae-jun (Park Hae-il), who becomes entangled in the life of Chinese widow, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei), after her husband is found dead from a fall whilst mountain climbing. Hae-jun, naturally suspicious, initially advocates for the innocence of the widow, despite his colleague’s petition for an arrest. From their first meeting, Hae-jun is encapsulated by Seo-rae and becomes her protector after learning that her husband was physically abusing her.
The two dance on the line of professionalism as they become closer during the investigation of Seo-rae’s husband’s death. Each interaction threatens the integrity of Hae-jun, who prides himself on being a fair and just detective, until the case is ruled a suicide and eventually closed. With the conflict of interest resolved, the couple engage in a sexless affair, their time spent together intoxicated with romantic tension.
Decision to Leave explores betrayal and heartbreak. Image: MUBI.
However the romantic haze is broken when Hae-jun pieces together the true cause of Seo-rae’s husband’s death. Understanding that they may not be good for one another, Hae-jun makes the decision to leave Seo-rae, but the departure proves to be much harder than he anticipated.
The pros and the cons
In this modern thriller, Park makes beautiful use of nature and modern technology. Using smartphones and watches to record audio files, the characters narrate their own story, telling us their most intimate thoughts about one another, yet endeavouring to remain detached from each other in person.
The constant reminder of a language barrier between the couple helps us to understand how the couple’s connection transcends lexical interaction. At times, Seo-rae makes use of a translating app to communicate with Hae-jun, and Hae-jun is shown to be studying Chinese in an effort to understand Seo-rae.
Decision to Leave asks questions about the morality of following your heart. Image: Empire Online.
However, sometimes the emphasis on Seo-rae’s ‘Chinese-ness’ can feel more like exotification — it is as if Seo-rae were a conniving, exotic goddess who was tainting the integrity of a moral policeman. Seo-rae is continuously misunderstood in the film by a man who is projecting his lack of control onto her, blaming her for his infidelity by believing that she is mystically luring him in.
The chemistry between Park Hae-il and Tang Wei is the highlight of this film. The domestic scenes of cooking between the two are what makes you root for their relationship. And although their story is complex and morally ambiguous, you hope, by the end of the film, that they can be together without any obstacles.
Decision to Leave is now showing in cinemas across the UK.
Edited by Gabii Rayner.
