Direction: Park Chan-wook
Country: South Korea
In Park Chan-wook's latest film, a seasoned detective (Park Hae-il) falls for an enigmatic widow (Tang Wei) while investigating the death of her husband. She becomes his primary suspect, but he’s suddenly torn between his drive to solve the case and the strong physical attraction that devours him whenever she’s around.
Assuming the classic type, Decision to Leave is the perfect antidote to the recent glut of stylish yet brainless thrillers. Being more character-driven than investigative, the script co-written with regular collaborator Jeong Seo-kyeong, forces Chan-wook to step away from the creepiest thrillers that made him famous (Old Boy; The Vengeance Trilogy). Taking the form of a romantic cat-and-mouse neo-noir, the film never burns, but sizzles and smolders, opting to enhance passion and sorrow to the detriment of thrills and violence. To be more specific, think of a Hitchcockian detective story (the director took inspiration from Vertigo) bathed with the filmmaking elegance of Wong Kar-wai. Although more formal and less furious, like in the sensual The Handmaiden (2016), Chan-wook refuses to adhere to conventionality.
In an early stage, the proceedings are quite subtle and the pace a bit torpid, but knowing the director’s filmography, one should expect some surprises and bittersweet tones along the way. His originality here is the clarity in the filmmaking, even dealing with multiple layers and complex temporal shifts in the story. He meets his goal with an incredible eye for detail and the help of awesome leading actors.
