Decision to Leave (Film Review)

Park Chan-wook is known for his attention to detail and mind-boggling twists, keeping audiences on their toes until the eventual reveal. The big twist with his latest feature, Decision to Leave, is that there isn't one. Park has crafted a comparatively simple thriller that is laser-focused on setting up characters and letting them interact in interesting ways. This is still a well made Park Chan-wook film, but one that lacks the sharp edge fans will be accustomed to. 

Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) is a detective ripped straight out of a noir flick. He suffers from insomnia, has a marriage that is at breaking point, and is embroiled in his work as a detective believing he still has integrity in the role. Hae-jun simply drifts through life without any meaning or purpose – until he meets Seo-rae (Tang Wei). As the wife of a mountain climber who fell to his death from his favourite peak, Hae-jun interrogates her as a possible suspect but ends up falling for her in increasingly obsessive ways. 

Park navigates the tricky relationship between Hae-jun and Seo-rae through a blend of genres, stunning cinematography and stellar editing. What is immediately striking is how damn funny Decision to Leave is by using those particular elements. Whether it's a hilarious line expertly delivered by the incredible cast or a fun sequence that parodies a genre through camerawork and editing, Park is sure to elicit a few laughs across the film's runtime. 

During that time the director also flits through different genres with ease: thriller, noir, comedy, romance. The only downside to this melting pot of genres is that the film certainly entertains but doesn't dive deep into any particular genre to really grab you. Decision to Leave doesn't have the shocking gnarliness of The Vengeance Trilogy or the seductive eroticism of Stoker and The Handmaiden.

What will grab your attention, however, is the technical work and performances on display. Park and cinematographer Ji-yong Kim create truly unique shots and cleverly stitch together sequences that focus on the theme of observation. Whether that is us the audience gazing up at a character from behind a phone screen or some other item, or Park physically placing Hae-jun within Seo-rae's vicinity as he stalks her from afar, someone is always dangerously close to what they want. Park Hae-il is great as the detective losing touch with reality, but it's Wei who steals the show as the mysterious widow. She masterfully commands the audience – and Hae-jun – as the elusive suspect that never gives the game away. It's intoxicating to watch Seo-rae slowly peeled back the layers throughout her journey, and you'll be seduced just as Hae-jun is.

Whilst there is a lot to enjoy, it still feels like something is missing. It might be that we come to expect a masterpiece with every Park Chan-wook feature due to his outstanding filmography, but there are moments throughout Decision to Leave where the magic fades and the runtime is felt. On the surface this is just another noir flick with a femme fatale – albeit one that is done with flair – and it certainly isn't as seductive or shocking as the marketing suggests. Park is clearly comfortable behind the camera, but maybe a little too comfortable.

Decision to Leave releases in cinemas on October 21st