Decision to Leave

Park is my favourite Korean director, but this one is not as good as I expected, probably he will not be able to make another movie better than old boy after all, but I still watched it twice, and no one can deny it is a fascinating story, PS: Tang wei is so charming and unique

A South Korean film noir that integrates the Smart Phone as well as any mystery film with a old-school feel ever! Park Chan-wook's film is gorgeous and intense, but it's the chemistry of Tang Wei and Park Hae-il that bring it all together. The face is a focal point as the emotion is so well drawn. Final Score: 8.4/10

Intriguiung, subtle, funny, metaphoric, tragic and wholesome crimelovestory.

It brims with talent on every level - the script masking a love story as a murder mystery, that keeps you guessing. The incredible editing that keeps you invested! Master directing that keeps you awed.

We just had the Oscars so I've been watching all of the top rated movies from 2022 & this is the Best Directed movie I've seen so far. Complex storyline so I will need to re-watch in order to fully understand, however it is fantastically made. Good direction, good acting, beautifully shot. It's a high quality movie that's similar to Gone Girl, Basic Instinct & The Departed. If you liked those 3, you'll like it.

"Decision to Leave" is a visually stylish and unique movie. The movie takes interesting turns and kept me interested. I felt like it was a movie that had a lot of buildups and some tension, but the payoff felt kind of a mixed bag for me. This movie does feel similar to other mystery stories but it is not quite as engaging as some of the best. I still thought it was shot really well every scene served a purpose to the story it wanted to tell and the actors involved are good. Overall, it is a good film that has been hailed as a great one and I think it mostly stands out because of the camera work and visuals.

The standout feature of Park's Decision to Leave was the filming ability to capture scenes or character interactions in a very crafty and technical way. It is brilliant, sharp, but sometimes the fast-pace was hard to follow. This fast (but long story) style does take away from the impact of the films love story- which resulted in a lack of chemistry. The story is captivating and auspiciously romantic, but that doesn't come through perfectly. The ending is truly beautiful, but its impact feels quietly subdued.

THE CLOSER YOU LOOK, THE HARDER YOU FALL. Decision to Leave (Korean: 헤어질 결심; Hanja: 헤어질 決心; RR: Heeojil gyeolsim; lit. Resolution to Break Up) is a 2022 South Korean romantic mystery film produced, co-written and directed by Park Chan-wook 📱 It's ok, but I feel mixed about this one 😉 I'd recommend it if you like this genre, but if not then probably give it a miss 👍🏼👎🏼 Hae-Joon, a seasoned detective, investigates the suspicious death of a man on a mountaintop. Soon, he begins to suspect Seo-rae, the deceased's wife, while being unsettled by his attraction to her.

Inspector Hae Joon, suffering from insomnia, launches an investigation into a rambler's seemingly unnatural death of a man on a mountain and meets widow Seo Rae, with whom he will start a morbid relationship. Behind this apparently trivial plot, director Park Chan-wook creates a very sophisticated story that overcomes the traditional thriller film, especially in the second half of the movie. Hae Joon indeed, after the unfair resolution of the first case, leaves the jurisdiction where he works (Pusan) and moves to the city where his wife lives and works (Ipo), hoping to find a remedy for his insomnia (that was progressively getting worse) and a little bit of peace. Unfortunately, 13 months later Seo reppears with her new husband, Im Ho-shin, who will be found dead the day after. So the investigation start again, along with his relationship with the girl, that will conduct the movie to its final twist. To conclude, it's a well-directed film, very curated in every detail (I must mention the technical virtuosity in the scene changes) and unusual;however in some parts it seems to lose the focus, drafting other narrative strands without exploring them.

A spellbinding film with a tremendous turn from Tang Wei! Director Park Chan-wook's South Korean romantic mystery Decision to Leave (2022) is enchanting. Chan-wook's direction emphasizes calm waters, vast cityscapes, endless mountain sides, and curious expressions of love in uncertain faces. His films always adhere to tasteful, smooth camera movements and striking close-up shots. His framing is mesmerizing, especially when we see the romantic leads next to one another, locked in a longing gaze. Cinematographer Kim Ji-yong's careful camera placements shifts perspective from male to female for an intimate feel and romantic atmosphere. The long takes will feature sweeping camera panning shots swirling around characters. I am impressed by how creatively shot Decision to Leave looks. Production designer Ryu Seong-hie crafts clean, open, sleek sets that appear modern in interior design. I love the cute blue wave wallpaper in Tang Wei's apartment. Set decorators Choi Seul-gi, Lee Gi-seok, and Choi Ji-hye adorn the apartments and homes with pretty furniture and fancy contemporary props. Lee Eun-jin's art direction focuses on steep stairs and rock cliffs, expansive streets, and endless oceans. I love the look of the colorful wallpaper and neon rainbow lights around the city. Visual effects artists Lee Jeon-hyoung and Shon Byeong-su create seamless CGI for additional rock formations on cliffs or beaches plus waves splashing. More modern movies could take note of the hidden CGI within Parasite or Decision to Leave. Park Chan-wook's silly humor offsets his haunting crime story full of complex twists and meticulous detail. However, it is Park Chan-wook's sincere romantic sentiments that entice you throughout Decision to Leave. I was tearing up by the somber ending of Decision to Leave that left me hollow. I was very surprised at the constant absurdist humor, but the comedy relief can be uproarious or comedy relief to caress the viewer when they're feeling depressed over this romantic tragedy. Decision to Leave is yet another masterpiece from Park Chan-wook in the upper echelon of cinema alongside his previous pictures Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance, Oldboy, Sympathy for Lady Vengeance, and Thirst. I adored it. Decision to Leave is beautifully crafted, subtly acted, and set at a blistering pace. Decision to Leave is 138 minutes, but goes by so quickly with lightning fast cutting from editor Kim Sang-bum. His smooth transitions fade so cleverly with match and parallel cuts for lovely visuals and immersive editing. I felt disoriented at first by his brisk pacing from rapid fire cuts that do not give you time to follow everything all at once, but it is not rushed. I could follow the endlessly intricate crime narrative and nuanced character moments of tenderness just fine. Decision to Leave is easily Park Chan-wook's fastest paced film and his most romantic at heart. It is obviously getting compared to Alfred Hitchcock's Vertigo for the detective falling in love with the beautiful prime suspect. Although, I offer that it's closer to Basic Instinct's teasing investigation or In the Mood for Love's forlorn farewell of someone you cannot be with by Decision to Leave's devastating finale. Writers Park Chan-wook and Chung Seo-kyung hold out a hand asking audiences to understand how a detective can fall for a suspect. Their writing is empathetic to the core. Their words are heartwarming with a life affirming devotion to the very concept of understanding someone on a deep level that you cannot stop thinking about them or desiring to be near. From a lustful gaze, a held hand, a close hug, a kind word, a quiet listening, or a declaration of adoration. Decision to Leave feels intimate and romantic in every scene. To not feel too dark or depressing, Chan-wook and Seo-kyung's script features chaotic comedy relief with sudden silly humor that got a laugh out of me every time. Park Chan-wook pays homage to his heroes and inspirations clearly. I can draw comparisons to Memories of Murder, Vertigo, Basic Instinct, Insomnia, Leave Her to Heaven, and In the Mood for Love. South Korean actor Park Hae-il is tender and nuanced as his insomniac detective and romantic hero Hae-joon. He's conflicted over desiring a murder suspect versus being faithful to his wife. Hae-il shows utter devastation in his eyes and despondent facial expressions. He's got real romantic chemistry with the lovely Chinese actress Tang Wei. Tang Wei is sublime, hilarious, flirty, and heartbreaking in Decision to Leave as the suspicious and enchanting Seo-rae. Tang Wei is gorgeous and uses her beauty to slyly flirt and hint to Park Hae-il's obsessed detective at her feelings of love. I was constantly questioning her motives and true desires because of Wei's skillful portrayal of nuances. Her every glance and slight smile feels significant. She's an alluring femme fatale and romantic heroine. Tang Wei should have an Oscar for Decision to Leave. I loved Lee Jung-hyun's supportive wife character Jung-an. She's super funny, sympathetic, and adorable. Composer Cho Young-wuk's film score sounds romantic and intriguing. The melodic romance theme chimes in with a haunting wonder and softness. I appreciate how quiet and comforting Cho Young-wuk's score comes across. Sound designer Kim Suk-won emphasizes waves splashing and car engines roaring to life for striking noises. I love how clear voices sound even when whispered. Kwak Jung-ae's costumes provide Tang Wei with cute leisure wear and dazzling sparkling dresses. Make-up artist Song Jong-hee gives Tang Wei a very becoming natural look, then stunning glamour for her later married aesthetic. She is a breathtaking woman with elegant poise and graceful sorrow. In all, Decision to Leave is a magnificent movie that I will surely revisit for decades to come for Park Chan-wook's mystifying filmmaking, Park Hae-il's romantic insomniac detective, and Tang Wei's alluring femme fatale.