Fantastic Fest 2022: Decision To Leave — A Solidly Crafted Romantic Police Procedural
From a mountain peak in South Korea, a man plummets to his death. Did he jump, or was he pushed? When detective Hae-joon arrives on the scene, he begins to suspect the dead man's wife Seo-rae. But as he digs deeper into the investigation, he finds himself trapped in a web of deception and desire.
When it comes to the films of Park Chan-wook, you’re in extremely capable hands, and Decision To Leave is no exception. The film earned the Korean auteur the Best Director award at this year’s Cannes Film Festival, and it’s easy to see why. The film is extremely sharp and well crafted, with a detail-oriented focus that weaves the seemingly trivial aspects into the big picture in an often surprising and satisfying way.
The film is a neo-noir that puts the “pro” in “police procedural” and boasts a compelling mystery that’s immensely entertaining to watch unravel. Park and co-writer Seo-kyung Chung do a great job keeping the audience on uneven footing, channeling their inner Hitchcock to keep the audience guessing until the very end. While there’s many twists and turns throughout, Decision To Leave’s most surprising aspect is just how dazzlingly romantic it is.
The film follows an insomniac detective, Hae-joo, who is investigating the mysterious death of a retired immigration worker, Ki Do Soo, who plummets to his death from atop a mountain. But was his death an accident, a suicide, or was there foul play? When Hae-joo and his partner interview Ki Do Soo’s younger wife, Seo-Rae, an emigrant from China, it becomes hard to say. As Hae-joo becomes more and more obsessed with Seo-Rae and her husband’s death, a haunting and dizzying game of cat and mouse begins, which spills over into a thrilling and tender romance that will have you swooning and shattered.
Park is well known for his sleazy and brutal films, like 2003’s Oldboy, but Decision To Leave marks a softer, sweeter, more mature turn for the seasoned filmmaker. It might not be as sharp as some of his other films, but it still cuts pretty deep and is just as strongly directed. There are some truly incredible camera moves and delicately constructed scenes that are meticulously crafted and stacked like a Matryoshka doll, which is further bolstered by the tight editing from frequently Park collaborator Kim Sang-beom. The attention to detail on display here is astounding, with Park making the smallest aspects of the narrative pay off in big ways.
The film does interesting things with its mix of Chinese and Korean language — an aspect that might resonate more with those who don’t need to rely on subtitles — and the way in which it implements modern technology is really fascinating (particularly in how Park brilliantly shoots it). The cinematography from first-timer Kim Ji-yong is really beautiful, as is the score from Jo Yeong-wook (another Park regular). Both play into the film’s searing romanticism and noir vibes with their immaculate compositions and excellent swagger. The central performances from Tang Wei and Park Hae-il is also remarkable. They have wonderful chemistry and each deliver knockout performances that elevate the film and give is a smoldering sensuality.
The film’s journey is mostly sleek and smooth, and it’s sure to keep even the most attentive viewer on their toes for its entirety. It lingers a bit too long at times (especially in its 2nd murder investigation), but overall it’s as impeccably made as one has come to expect from a Park Chan-wook joint. It’s definitely one of the year’s most genuinely romantic offerings (up there with Guadagnino’s Bones And All), and it’s certainly a film that’s sure to grow on us even more with time. Come for the mystery, but stick around for the romance; this is one flick that give you a reason to stay. Don’t be surprised if you see this on many end-of-the year lists; it’s pretty much the complete package.
Recommendation: If you’re a fan of Park Chan-wook or well-made genre hybrids, you definitely need to seek out Decision To Leave, as it’s one of the year’s best offerings.
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