Directed by: Park Chan-wook
IMDb link: Decision to Leave (2022)
The moment you said you loved me, your love is over.
The moment your love ends, my love begins.
(Spoilers Ahead…)
Decision To Leave Plot: A Cop Falls for a Murder Suspect
A man is found dead at a mountain peak in Busan, South Korea. Detective Jang Hae-joon (Park Hae-il) goes to the crime scene to find out if it was a suicide or a murder. Jang quickly suspects the dead man’s wife, Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei). But the more he investigates, the more he feels a strong attraction to her.
Jang suffers from a lack of sleep and travels a lot between his work and the town of Ipo, where his wife lives. He only feels alive when a new case comes up. Because he is so tired, his mind is not thinking clearly. This is probably why he becomes so obsessed with Song, even when it looks like she is the killer.
Why the Ending Did Not Impress Me
Song is an interesting character who always seems to be hiding something. Her behavior, strange laugh, and mysterious vibe keep you guessing because the movie never gives straight answers. This is why I could not fully enjoy the ending. I wanted real reasons for her actions and her sad end. Her reasons for killing do not make sense, even if she is smart enough to not get caught.
A Confusing Story with Great Camera Work
The film shows Song as Chinese and Jang as Korean. This adds to the confusion because they often use a translator app on their phones to talk. I felt the app did not always translate their true feelings.
There is a lot of talk about a “foggy night.” Jang’s wife even asks why Song would move to a foggy town when most people hate the fog. The fog acts as a symbol for Song’s confusing character and the movie’s moody feel. It makes it hard to find a clear answer to the mystery.
The camera work is very creative. The director films phone calls as if the characters are standing right next to each other. This creates a false sense of closeness. The funny moments mostly happen early in the film with Jang’s police partner. After that, the story focuses heavily on the romantic tension between Jang and Song, but the director avoids showing any direct romantic scenes every time.
Decision To Leave: Final Thoughts
Overall, Decision to Leave is a Korean film I liked for its moody and beautiful look. I just wish Song’s character was not so confusing and that the movie answered all my questions at the end.
My Rating: 6/10
In case you missed out, do check my review of Society of the Snow
