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In the films of Park Chan-wook, form follows not function but emotion.
This is just one of many qualities that make Park one of the great artists of our time.
He is, perhaps, the last great Expressionist.
Decision to Leavehas been billed as something of a departure for the director, and that is partially correct.
The new picture displays little of the graphic qualities that have earned Park the somewhat dismissive title ofprovocateur.
Thats not to say that these elements are not there.
Phone conversations are played out in the same location.
Is it an intercutting flashback, a projection, a dream, a nightmare?
Is it, somehow, all of these things?
Park still wants us to inhabit his characters psychological realities.
At least, thats the idea.
At times,Decision to Leaveseems too stylistically clever for its own good.
Constantly seeing this man and this woman together, we dont sense any absence or longing.
We might be watching the emotional high-point of a different movie.
The story feels disjointed as well, as if Park might be two steps ahead of himself.
But the character never breaks free of his logline.
Park has given him traits rather than dimensions.
He has a ridiculous amount of pockets.
He keeps a wall full of carefully arranged, grisly photos from open cases.
He gets ill at the sight of blood.
He is meticulous, always making sure not to touch anything at a crime scene with his bare fingers.
(Shes got a decent explanation for it, by the way.)
In other words,Decision to Leaveis fairly unconvincing as a procedural.
Perhaps thats a churlish or pointless criticism.
Genre is not the films primary intent; likeVertigo, it wants to be mostly a mood piece.
And sadly, the armature is rickety this time around.
Appropriate to the films intentions, her Seo-rae is all undercurrents and contradictions.
Shes outwardly obsequious, but playful underneath.
Fragility and resolve dance across her face.
She seems capable of both intense tenderness and intense cruelty.
There isnt much chemistry between her and Hae-jun, but maybe there doesnt need to be.
Watching the movie, its hard not to become a little captivated with her ourselves.
