DECISION TO LEAVE (DÉCISION DE PARTIR): Between duty and desire

Movie Review by Sergio Martínez

In this Korean film directed by Park Chan Wook, we find detective Hae-Joon (Park Hae-il), a policeman with a solid professional career who has to investigate the death of a man. An incident in which the main suspect seems to be the wife of the deceased, Seo-Rae (Tang Wei).

The policeman is very diligent in investigating the incident. His professional zeal, however, soon turns into an obsessive situation. Eventually, a closer relationship develops between the detective and the widow until the police case is closed and the woman is cleared. However, Hae Joon still needs to obsessively try to uncover the case's truth.

Some time later, when a new case, very similar to the previous one in which a man dies and Seo-Rae is again singled out as a suspect, would make the policeman and the woman meet again.

Hae Joon and the suspect, Seo Rae

Decision to Leave is a film whose genre is difficult to categorize, although the police theme is the common thread of the plot; on the other hand, we must also consider the element of mystery that the woman, between delicate and inscrutable, presents to the police officer. This element is undoubtedly at the root of the attraction she arouses.

A solid performance by both protagonists and a photography of subtle chiaroscuro contribute to creating a unique atmosphere among the viewers of this film. Decision to Leave is a film we highly recommend.

In Korean with English or French subtitles (check theatres).

Running time: 138 min.