The Closer You Look, The Harder You Fall.|Jun. 29, 2022|South Korea|138 Min.|Not Rated
Genre: Crime;Drama;K-Drama;Mystery;Romance
Description: Park Chan-wook’s “Decision to Leave” (2022) is a masterfully crafted thriller that showcases the director’s signature style of intricate storytelling. Following the global success of Bong Joon-ho’s “Parasite” and the immense popularity of “Squid Game,” this film has quickly become the latest obsession for fans of Korean cinema.
The story revolves around Hae-joon, a skilled police detective played by Park Hae-il, who embodies the classic noir traits of a determined investigator and a vulnerable romantic. As the youngest officer to achieve the rank of Inspector in the bustling city of Busan, Hae-joon is respected and lives a seemingly content life with his wife, played by Lee Jung-hyun. However, their marriage is strained by distance, as she works in the coastal town of Ipo, hours away from Busan.
Hae-joon thrives on the challenges of his work in the homicide division, but even he finds himself complaining about the lack of cases. That changes when a man’s body is discovered at the foot of a nearby mountain. Hae-joon takes on the investigation, which leads him to meet the deceased’s mysterious wife, Seo-rae, portrayed by the captivating Tang Wei. Seo-rae, a Chinese-speaking caregiver for the elderly, raises Hae-joon’s suspicions with her unsettling indifference to her husband’s death.
“Decision to Leave” is a testament to Park Chan-wook’s ability to weave complex narratives with elegance and precision, leaving audiences both mesmerized and eager for more.
Cast director: Park Chan-wook
Cast actor: Tang Wei, Park Hae-il, Lee Jung-hyun, Park Yong-woo, Go Kyung-pyo, Kim Shin-young, Yoo Seung-mok, Jung Yi-seo, Jung Young-sook, Lee Hak-joo
Original name: 헤어질 결심