Decision to Leave
{{Short description|2022 film by Park Chan-wook}}
{{Use American English|date=November 2024}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2024}}
{{Infobox film
| image = Decision to Leave film poster.jpg
| alt =
| caption = Theatrical release poster
| native_name = {{Infobox Korean film name
| hangul = 헤어질 결심
| hanja = 헤어질 決心
| lk = Resolution to Break Up
}}
| director = Park Chan-wook
| writer = {{Plainlist|
- Jeong Seo-kyeong
- Park Chan-wook
}}
| producer = Park Chan-wook
| starring = {{Plainlist|
}}
| cinematography = Kim Ji-yong
| editing = Kim Sang-bum
| music = Jo Yeong-wook
| studio = Moho Film
| distributor = CJ Entertainment
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2022|5|23|Cannes|2022|6|29|South Korea}}
| runtime = 139 minutes
| country = South Korea
| language = {{Plainlist|
- Korean
- Mandarin
}}
| budget =
| gross = US$22.6 million{{cite Box Office Mojo|title=Decision to Leave|id=12477480|url-status=live|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220813211955/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt12477480/?ref_=bo_se_r_1|archive-date=13 August 2022|access-date=30 January 2023}}
}}
Decision to Leave ({{Korean|hangul=헤어질 결심|hanja=헤어질 決心|rr=Heeojil gyeolsim|lit="Resolution to Break Up"}}) is a 2022 South Korean neo-noir romantic mystery film directed, co-written and produced by Park Chan-wook. The film follows married detective Jang Hae-jun (Park Hae-il), whose investigation of a man's death leads him to the man's widow, Chinese immigrant Song Seo-rae (Tang Wei). Hae-jun's investigation of Seo-rae as a suspect gradually leads him to develop feelings towards her.{{cite web |last1=Frater |first1=Patrick |title=Park Chan-wook Set to Start Shooting Next Movie 'Decision to Leave' |url=https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/park-chan-wook-to-shoot-decision-to-leave-1234802471/ |website=Variety |access-date=21 March 2021 |date=13 October 2020 |archive-date=3 March 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210303022125/https://variety.com/2020/film/asia/park-chan-wook-to-shoot-decision-to-leave-1234802471/ |url-status=live }}
In April 2022, Decision to Leave was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival,{{Cite web |url=https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/infos-communiques/communique/articles/the-films-of-the-official-selection-2022 |title=The films of the Official Selection 2022 – Festival de Cannes |date=14 April 2022 |access-date=28 May 2022 |website=Cannes Film Festival |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816063205/https://www.festival-cannes.com/en/infos-communiques/communique/articles/the-films-of-the-official-selection-2022 |url-status=live }}{{cite web|title=David Cronenberg, Park Chan-wook, Kelly Reichardt Set for Cannes Competition|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2022-cannes-lineup-film-festival-1235128080/|website=Hollywood Reporter|access-date=14 April 2022|date=14 April 2022|archive-date=15 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220515084414/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/2022-cannes-lineup-film-festival-1235128080/|url-status=live}} where Park Chan-wook won Best Director.{{Cite web|last=Tartaglione|first=Nancy|date=28 May 2022|title=Cannes Film Festival Winners Announced – Live|url=https://deadline.com/2022/05/cannes-film-festival-2022-winners-full-list-1235035036/|access-date=28 May 2022|website=Deadline Hollywood|archive-date=28 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528183125/https://deadline.com/2022/05/cannes-film-festival-2022-winners-full-list-1235035036/|url-status=live}} The film was released theatrically on 29 June 2022 in South Korea.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/421/0006187077 |script-title=ko:'헤어질 결심', 반짝이는 박찬욱의 클래식 로맨스 [시네마 프리뷰] |trans-title='Decision to break up', Shining Park Chan-wook's classic romance [Cinema Preview] |author=Jung Yu-jin |work=News 1 |publisher=Naver |date=29 June 2022 |access-date=29 June 2022 |language=ko |archive-date=29 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629102310/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/421/0006187077 |url-status=live }} Mubi acquired the distribution rights for several territories, including North America, where it was released theatrically on 14 October 2022.{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/decision-to-leave-release-date-park-chan-wook/ |title='Decision to Leave': Park Chan-wook's Award-Winning Drama Sets Fall Release Date in US |last=O'Rourke |first=Ryan |date=14 June 2022 |website=Collider |access-date=23 November 2023}} Its streaming premiere began in Mubi on 9 December 2022,{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/decision-to-leave-digital-blu-ray-dvd-release-dates/ |title=Park Chan-Wook's 'Decision to Leave' Sets Digital, Blu-Ray & DVD Release Dates |last=Mantilla |first=Ryan Louis |date=21 November 2022 |website=Collider |access-date=23 November 2023}} where it would later become the company's most streamed film.{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2023/02/park-chan-wook-decision-leave-mubi-most-streamed-record-1235255651/ |title=Park Chan-wook's 'Decision To Leave' Scores U.S. Streaming Record For Mubi Ahead Of Stateside & UK Re-Release |last=Wiseman|first=Andreas |date=10 February 2023 |website=Deadline |access-date=23 November 2023}}
Decision to Leave received critical acclaim, being named one of the top five international films of 2022 by the National Board of Review.{{cite web|url=https://nationalboardofreview.org/2022/12/national-board-of-review-announces-2022-award-winners/|title=NATIONAL BOARD OF REVIEW ANNOUNCES 2022 AWARD WINNERS|date=December 2022|publisher=National Board of Review|access-date=27 December 2022|archive-date=9 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221209140400/https://nationalboardofreview.org/2022/12/national-board-of-review-announces-2022-award-winners/|url-status=live}} It was selected as the South Korean entry for Best International Feature Film at the 95th Academy Awards,{{cite web|url=https://www.kofic.or.kr/kofic/business/board/selectBoardDetail.do?boardNumber=4&boardSeqNumber=53928|script-title=ko:제95회 아카데미영화상 국제장편영화 부문 한국영화 출품작 선정결과|work=KOFIC|date=11 August 2022|access-date=11 August 2022|archive-date=11 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220811150445/https://www.kofic.or.kr/kofic/business/board/selectBoardDetail.do?boardNumber=4&boardSeqNumber=53928|url-status=live}} making the December shortlist.{{cite web|url=https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/2023-oscars-shortlists|title=95th Oscars Shortlists Announced for 10 Categories|work=Oscars|date=21 December 2022 |access-date=22 December 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221222042426/https://aframe.oscars.org/news/post/2023-oscars-shortlists|archive-date=22 December 2022|url-status=live}} Among the accolades and nominations it received are two BAFTA Award nominations at the 76th British Academy Film Awards, for Best Film Not in the English Language and Best Direction, seven wins from 13 nominations at the 43rd Blue Dragon Film Awards and three wins from seven nominations at the 59th Baeksang Arts Awards.
Plot
Insomniac detective Jang Hae-jun works in Busan and only sees his wife, Jung-an, a nuclear power plant manager residing in Ipo, once a week. Hae-jun and his partner, Soo-wan, investigate a case involving a retired immigration officer, Ki Do-soo, found dead at the foot of a mountain he often climbed. They interview his much younger wife Song Seo-rae, an emigrant from China who works as a caretaker for seniors. They suspect her because of her lack of displays of grief, a scratch on her hand, bruises on her legs and torso, broken ribs, and a tattoo of Ki's initials resembling the monogram he used to mark his belongings.
Hae-jun conducts further interviews with Seo-rae and conducts nightly stakeouts outside of her apartment building, becoming infatuated with her in the process. Seo-rae observes him outside her building, and witnesses him on one of his other investigations. Seo-rae's Monday client says Seo-rae was with her on the day Ki died, and camera footage shows Seo-rae outside her Monday client's home shortly before Ki's time of death. Questioned about her background, Seo-rae admits that in China she killed her terminally ill mother with fentanyl pills at her request. Before dying, she told Seo-rae to go to Korea to climb the mountain her Korean grandfather, an independence fighter in Manchuria, had left her. Seo-rae gives Hae-jun letters written by Ki admitting to corrupt business dealings, including a letter sent to a subordinate that Hae-jun interprets as a suicide note. Hae-jun rules that the death was a suicide, despite Soo-wan's doubts, and informs Seo-rae that she is no longer a suspect.
Seo-rae and Hae-jun go on a date at a Buddhist temple, visit each other's homes, and become close. At his apartment, Seo-rae burns Hae-jun's evidence photos from her husband's case, reasoning that Hae-jun's insomnia is caused by his disturbing cases haunting him. When Hae-jun fills in for a visit to Seo-rae's Monday client, Hae-jun learns that Seo-rae and the client have the same model of cell phone, and that the client has dementia and does not know what day of the week it is. On the client's phone, he sees that the housebound woman apparently walked the distance equivalent to 138 flights of stairs on the day of Ki's death. Hae-jun realizes Seo-rae switched her phone for her client's and then climbed the mountain to push Ki off. Confronting Seo-rae in her apartment, he concludes that she also forged the suicide note and, to her consternation, accuses her of getting close to him to destroy his evidence. Hae-jun says Seo-rae has destroyed his pride in his job and that, since meeting her, he has become "shattered"; nevertheless, he has covered up the evidence and instructs her to throw the incriminating phone into the sea before leaving.
Thirteen months later, Hae-jun has moved to Ipo to live with Jung-an after developing depression and more severe insomnia. At a fish market with Jung-an, he encounters Seo-rae with her new husband Im Ho-Shin, a business investor. The next day, Ho-Shin is found dead in his mansion's swimming pool. Hae-jun takes on the case and is convinced Seo-rae is the culprit. She admits only to draining the pool so that Hae-jun would not be disturbed by the blood. Sa Cheol-seong, a Chinese immigrant, soon confesses to killing Ho-Shin for defrauding his late mother of millions of dollars. Sa denies that Seo-rae played any role and reveals he had installed a tracker on Seo-rae's phone so he could find where Ho-Shin lived.
Hae-jun confronts Seo-rae at the mountain her grandfather left her. She reaches Hae-jun at the edge of the mountain and hugs him. Seo-rae reveals that she kept the phone with incriminating evidence from Ki's case and proposes that he use it as a way to "reinvestigate" her. They kiss passionately. Hae-jun returns home, where Jung-an suspects him of having worked with Seo-rae to murder Ho-shin, and leaves him.
The next day, Hae-jun learns from Sa that Seo-rae visited Sa's mother in the hospital on the day that she died. He concludes that Seo-rae slipped the mother the remaining fentanyl pills she had in her possession, knowing Sa would kill Ho-Shin as soon as his mother died. Hae-jun tracks Seo-rae's phone via the tracker Sa installed and chases her to a beach. Over the phone, she tells him that Ho-Shin had discovered a phone recording where Hae-jun told Seo-rae that he loved her, and that Ho-Shin had planned to expose their illicit relationship. Hae-jun does not recall telling Seo-rae that he loved her, though she says she began loving him as he stopped loving her. At the beach, he finds her empty car and the cell phone, which contains the recording of his instructions for Seo-rae to destroy the phone with evidence from Ki's case. Further out on the shore, Seo-rae digs a pit in the sand and gets in it as the tide rises, letting it drown and bury her. Hae-jun arrives at the beach and is unable to find Seo-rae, unaware that she is buried in the sand beneath him. He searches desperately for her and cries in anguish.
Cast
{{Cast listing|
- Tang Wei as Song Seo-rae
- Park Hae-il as Det. Jang Hae-jun
- Lee Jung-hyun as Jung-an
- Go Kyung-pyo as Soo-wan
- Park Yong-woo as Im Ho-shin
- Kim Shin-young as Yeon-su{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=437&aid=0000299825|last=Jo|first=Yeon-kyung|script-title=ko:마침내 공개된 박찬욱표 新멜로…칸 녹인 '헤어질결심' 8분 기립박수|trans-title=Park Chan-wook's new melodrama finally revealed... Khan's 'decision to break up' 8-minute standing ovation|publisher=JTBC|via=Naver|date=24 May 2022|access-date=24 May 2022|language=ko|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524103324/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=437&aid=0000299825|url-status=live}}
- Jung Yi-seo as Yoo Mi-ji{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=215&aid=0001034538|last=Yoo|first=Byung-chul|script-title=ko:정이서, 영화 '헤어질 결심'으로 스크린 복귀…박해일X고경표와 호흡|trans-title=Jeong Yi-seo returns to the screen with the movie 'Decision to break up'... Breathing with Haeil Park and Kyungpyo Go|publisher=Korea Economy TV|via=Naver|date=30 May 2022|access-date=30 May 2022|language=ko|archive-date=30 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220530093333/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=215&aid=0001034538|url-status=live}}
- Jung Young-Sook as Granny Hae Dong {{aka}} "Monday granny"[https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20209654 Film Directory. Decision to Leave (2022)] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816013332/http://koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20209654 |date=16 August 2022 }} Retrieved 10 March 2023.
- Yoo Seung-mok as Ki Do-soo
- Park Jeong-min as San-oh
- Seo Hyun-woo as Sa Cheol-seong "Slappy"
- Teo Yoo as Director Lee
- Go Min-si as Shaman
- Lee Hak-joo as Lee Ji-gu{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=382&aid=0000990514|last=Jeong|first=Hee-yeon|script-title=ko:헤어질 결심'에 유태오 나옵니다|trans-title=Yoo Tae-oh appears in 'Decision to break up|publisher=Sports Donga|via=Naver|date=5 July 2022|access-date=5 July 2022|language=ko|archive-date=5 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220705191014/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=382&aid=0000990514|url-status=live}}
- Jeong Ha-dam as Oh Ga-in
- Choi Dae-hoon as sleep clinic doctor{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=144&aid=0000824361|last=Lee|first=Jae-eun|script-title=ko:헤어질 결심' '우영우' 최대훈, 임팩트 제조는 한컷으로 충분|trans-title='Decision to break up' 'Woo Young-woo' Choi Dae-hoon, one cut is enough to make an impact|publisher=Sports Kyunghyang|via=Naver|date=8 July 2022|access-date=8 July 2022|language=ko|archive-date=8 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220708061140/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=144&aid=0000824361|url-status=live}}
- Joo In-young as caregiver company director
- Lee Ji-ha as Apartment woman
- Jung So-ri as 'Oppa' PC room part-timer{{cite web|url=https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=140&aid=0000048221|last=Jo|first=Hyun-na|title=[WHO ARE YOU] '카터' 배우 정소리|trans-title=[WHO ARE YOU] Actor Jung So-ri of 'Carter|publisher=Cine21|via=Naver|date=25 August 2022|access-date=28 August 2022|language=ko|archive-date=28 August 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220828120946/https://entertain.naver.com/now/read?oid=140&aid=0000048221|url-status=live}}
}}
Production
The film is produced by Moho Film and is financed and distributed by CJ Entertainment. It began principal photography in October 2020.{{cite web |last1=Grater |first1=Tom |title=CJ Boards Sales on 'The Handmaiden' Director Park Chan-Wook's Next Movie 'Decision to Leave' – Update |url=https://deadline.com/2020/10/the-handmaiden-director-park-chan-wooks-set-to-shoot-next-pic-decision-to-leave-1234596583/ |website=Deadline |access-date=21 March 2021 |date=14 October 2020 |archive-date=27 May 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210527073434/https://deadline.com/2020/10/the-handmaiden-director-park-chan-wooks-set-to-shoot-next-pic-decision-to-leave-1234596583/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |title=Park Chan-wook's new film to start shooting in October |url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201013000846 |website=The Korea Herald |access-date=21 March 2021 |language=en |date=13 October 2020 |archive-date=10 June 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210610102445/http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20201013000846 |url-status=live }}
Release
Decision to Leave was selected to compete for the Palme d'Or at the 2022 Cannes Film Festival to be held from 17 to 28 May 2022.{{Cite web |url= https://deadline.com/2022/04/cannes-film-festival-2022-lineup-full-list-1235002246/ |title= Cannes Film Festival: Michel Hazanavicius' 'Z (Comme Z)' To Open; James Gray, David Cronenberg, Cristian Mungiu, Kelly Reichardt In Competition – Full List |first= Nancy |last= Tartaglione |website= Deadline |date= 14 April 2022 |access-date= 14 April 2022 |language= en |archive-date= 4 June 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220604184910/https://deadline.com/2022/04/cannes-film-festival-2022-lineup-full-list-1235002246/ |url-status= live }} It screened for the first time at the Lumière Grand Theater on 23 May 2022 and was subsequently released theatrically in South Korea on 29 June 2022.{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/277/0005087887 |script-title=ko:박찬욱 '헤어질 결심' 23일 칸에서 공개 |trans-title=Park Chan-wook's 'decision to break up' was released in Cannes on the 23rd |author=Lee Jong-gil |work=Asia Economy |publisher=Naver |date=12 May 2022 |access-date=12 May 2022 |language=ko |archive-date=12 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220512042345/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/277/0005087887 |url-status=live }} According to CJ E&M, the film was sold to 192 countries ahead of its premiere in competition at Cannes.{{cite web|url=https://www.screendaily.com/news/park-chan-wooks-cannes-contender-decision-to-leave-sells-out-worldwide/5171084.article|title=Park Chan-wook's Cannes contender 'Decision To Leave' sells out worldwide|last=Wong|first=Silvia|work=Screen Daily|date=24 May 2022|access-date=12 June 2022|archive-date=24 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220524070337/https://www.screendaily.com/news/park-chan-wooks-cannes-contender-decision-to-leave-sells-out-worldwide/5171084.article|url-status=live}}{{cite web|url=https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220524007000315|title=Park Chan-wook's latest film 'Decision to Leave' sold to 192 countries|work=Yonhap Korea|date=24 May 2022|access-date=12 June 2022|archive-date=12 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220612030904/https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20220524007000315|url-status=live}}
In April 2022, streaming service Mubi acquired distribution rights to the film in North America, the United Kingdom and Ireland, India, and Turkey, with a theatrical release preceding its streaming debut.{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2022/04/mubi-park-chan-wook-cannes-decision-leave-us-uk-deal-1235011902/|title=Park Chan-Wook's anticipated Cannes competition thriller 'Decision To Leave' sells to Mubi for North America, UK, India & Turkey in company's biggest film deal to date|last=Wiseman|first=Andreas|work=Deadline Hollywood|date=28 April 2022|access-date=28 April 2022|archive-date=28 April 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428133150/https://deadline.com/2022/04/mubi-park-chan-wook-cannes-decision-leave-us-uk-deal-1235011902/|url-status=live}}
Decision to Leave held its North American premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival in September 2022,{{cite web | url=https://tiff.net/events/decision-to-leave | title=Decision to Leave | access-date=28 July 2022 | archive-date=28 July 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220728165818/https://tiff.net/events/decision-to-leave | url-status=live }} and its US premiere at Fantastic Fest Film Festival took place in the same month.{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2022/08/fantastic-fest-lineup-2022-1234752049/ |title=Fantastic Fest Headlined by 'Bones and All,' 'Triangle of Sadness,' and a Park Chan-wook Tribute |work=IndieWire |first=Christian |last=Zilko |date=16 August 2022 |access-date=17 August 2022 |archive-date=16 August 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220816161142/https://www.indiewire.com/2022/08/fantastic-fest-lineup-2022-1234752049/ |url-status=live }} It was released theatrically in the United States and United Kingdom on 14 October 2022,{{cite web |url=https://thefilmstage.com/park-chan-wooks-decision-to-leave-set-for-october-release-new-international-trailer-arrives/ |title=Park Chan-wook's Decision to Leave Set for October Release, New International Trailer Arrives |last=Pearce |first=Leonard |work=The Film Stage |date=13 June 2022 |access-date=13 June 2022 |archive-date=13 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220613152759/https://thefilmstage.com/park-chan-wooks-decision-to-leave-set-for-october-release-new-international-trailer-arrives/ |url-status=live }} and was released in Australia theatrically by Madman Films on 20 October.{{cite web | last=Goodsell | first=Luke | title=Decision to Leave: South Korean director Park Chan-wook turns in a desperately romantic detective thriller that breaks the rules | website=ABC News | publisher=Australian Broadcasting Corporation | date=20 October 2022 | url=https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/decision-to-leave-review-park-chan-wook-korean-drama/101543740 | access-date=15 December 2022 | archive-date=14 December 2022 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221214152944/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-10-20/decision-to-leave-review-park-chan-wook-korean-drama/101543740 | url-status=live }}
Reception
=Box office=
The film was released on 29 June 2022 on 1,374 screens.{{Cite web |url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20209654 |title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) Box office: Decision To Leave (2022) |access-date=29 June 2022 |work=KOFIC |archive-date=21 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220621190907/https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/films/index/filmsView.jsp?movieCd=20209654 |url-status=live }} It opened at first place on Korean box office with 114,592 admissions.{{Cite news |url=https://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/mobile/main/findRealTicketList.do |script-title=ko:실시간 예매율 |trans-title=Real-time reservation rate (box office) |work=Korean Film Council |publisher=KOBIS |date=29 June 2022 |access-date=30 June 2022 |language=ko |archive-date=2 January 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220102193855/https://www.kobis.or.kr/kobis/mobile/main/findRealTicketList.do |url-status=live }}{{Cite news |url=https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/213/0001221213 |script-title=ko:'헤어질 결심', 개봉 첫날 韓 영화 박스오피스 1위 등극 [공식] |trans-title='The Decision to Break Up' topped the Korean movie box office on the first day of release [Official] |author=Park Seol-i |work=TV Report |publisher=Naver |date=30 June 2022 |access-date=30 June 2022 |language=ko |archive-date=30 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220630022000/https://n.news.naver.com/entertain/movie/article/213/0001221213 |url-status=live }} On 13 July, after two weeks of release, the film surpassed one million cumulative admissions.{{Cite news|url=https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20220713172300005?input=1195m|script-title=ko:'헤어질 결심' 개봉 2주만에 관객수 100만명 넘겨|trans-title='Decision to Leave' surpassed 1 million viewers in 2 weeks of release|author=Kim Kye-yeon|work=Yonhap News Agency|publisher=|date=13 July 2022|access-date=13 July 2022|language=ko|archive-date=13 July 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220713161850/https://www.yna.co.kr/view/AKR20220713172300005?input=1195m|url-status=live}}
{{As of|2023|1|7}}, it is the tenth highest-grossing Korean film of 2022, with a gross of US$15,589,120 and 1,893,954 admissions.{{Cite web|url=http://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2022&category=ALL&country=K|title=KOFIC, KOBIS (Korean Box Office Information System) The Box office: Korean films of 2022|access-date=15 October 2022|work=KOFIC|archive-date=12 January 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220112131620/https://www.koreanfilm.or.kr/eng/news/boxOffice_Yearly.jsp?mode=BOXOFFICE_YEAR&selectDt=2022&category=ALL&country=K|url-status=live}}
=Critical response=
On Rotten Tomatoes, {{RT data|score}} of {{RT data|count}} reviews of the film are positive, with an average rating of {{RT data|average|title=Decision to Leave}}. The website's critics consensus reads: "If Decision to Leave isn't quite on the same level as Park Chan-wook's masterpieces, this romantic thriller is still a remarkable achievement by any other metric."{{cite web |url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/decision_to_leave |title=Decision to Leave |website=Rotten Tomatoes |access-date=11 March 2023 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014105558/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/decision_to_leave |url-status=live }} Metacritic assigned the film a weighted average score of 85 out of 100 based on 44 critic reviews, indicating "universal acclaim".{{cite web |url=https://www.metacritic.com/movie/decision-to-leave |title=Decision to Leave Reviews |website=Metacritic |access-date=15 October 2022 |archive-date=14 October 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014234151/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/decision-to-leave |url-status=live }}
David Rooney of The Hollywood Reporter, praising the director Park Chan-wook, wrote: "A world-class artist at the top of his game...all while navigating multilayered plots that continue to deliver surprises right up until the end. It's a luxury to put yourself as a viewer in such capable hands."{{Cite web |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/decision-to-leave-park-chan-wook-cannes-2022-1235152464/ |title= Park Chan-wook's 'Decision to Leave' ('Heojil Kyolshim'): Film Review {{!}} Cannes 2022 |author= David Rooney |website= Hollywood Reporter |date= 23 May 2022 |access-date= 29 June 2022 |language= en |archive-date= 29 June 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220629104616/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-reviews/decision-to-leave-park-chan-wook-cannes-2022-1235152464/ |url-status= live }}
Peter Howell of Toronto Star rated the film four out of four, and wrote: "Every frame is like a painting, with hints to character motivation and plot twists."{{Cite web |url= https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2022/05/26/here-are-the-top-10-films-at-cannes-2022.html |title= Here are the top 10 films at Cannes 2022 |author= Peter Howell |website= Toronto Star |date= 26 May 2022 |access-date= 29 June 2022 |language= en |archive-date= 5 June 2022 |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20220605002103/https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/movies/2022/05/26/here-are-the-top-10-films-at-cannes-2022.html |url-status= live }}
Rafael Motamayor of Slashfilm rated the film seven out of ten, and wrote: "This [the film] is not as surprising or innovative as director Park's earlier work, but it is still a fascinating and exquisitely directed film about desire, regret, and love."{{Cite web|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/872714/decision-to-leave-review-park-chan-wook-directs-the-hell-out-of-a-romantic-mystery-cannes/|title=Decision To Leave Review: Park Chan-Wook Directs The Hell Out Of A Romantic Mystery [Cannes]|author=Rafael Motamayor|website=Slashfilm|date=28 May 2022|access-date=29 June 2022|language=en|archive-date=29 June 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220629110923/https://www.slashfilm.com/872714/decision-to-leave-review-park-chan-wook-directs-the-hell-out-of-a-romantic-mystery-cannes/|url-status=live}}
Luke Goodsell of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation called the film "a testament to Park's undimmed talent...Decision to Leave is one of his best".
Wendy Ide gave it five stars out of five in The Observer, describing it as an "enthralling, serpentine crime drama" that possesses "dangerously handsome cinematography, as precise as it is playful, is full of layers and flipped mirror images.{{Cite web |date=2022-10-22 |title=Decision to Leave review – Park Chan-wook at his playful, slinky best |url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/oct/22/decision-to-leave-review-park-chan-wook-at-his-playful-slinky-best |access-date=2023-01-25 |website=the Guardian |language=en |archive-date=25 January 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230125212931/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2022/oct/22/decision-to-leave-review-park-chan-wook-at-his-playful-slinky-best |url-status=live }}
= The Mountains and the Sea =
Park Chan-wook has said that with Decision to Leave, he "wanted to film a Korean movie."{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdwlJk6PkSA |title=DECISION TO LEAVE {{!}} Park Chan-wook and Bong Joon Ho Q&A {{!}} MUBI |date=2023-01-13 |last=MUBI |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}} This is clear in that much of the movie is driven by imagery of either the sea or mountains, both very common elements on the Korean peninsula. The imagery is also made explicit by Seo-rae's character when she tells Hae-jun the following line from Confucius: "The wise man admires water, the kind man admires mountains." In Asian philosophy, the mountain symbolizes Confucius and upright virtuousness; meanwhile, water is the symbol of Lao Tzu and Taoism. The two elements, despite complementing each other, are also opposed to each other and unable to come together, like the symbols of Yin and Yang. However, ultimately, the sea has the ability to beat the mountains by eroding them over time. Seo-rae's character is symbolized by the sea. Despite her role in killing four other people (her and Sa's mothers and her two husbands) she is not captured by the detective. Notably, she kills her first husband atop a mountain and her second in a swimming pool. She then ultimately takes her own life at the end in the sea. Hae-jun, meanwhile, is the previously upright character symbolized by the mountains but now shattered. The two locations, Busan and Ipo, are also referenced as a sea and mountainous town, respectively. This imagery has been analyzed and debated online, including by both Korean and Chinese participants in the Korea Deconstructed series.{{Cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_OGTItnc8xI |title=Park Chan Wook: Genius of Korean Cinema {{!}} Korea Deconstructed #079 |date=2024-05-14 |last=David Tizzard |access-date=2024-07-08 |via=YouTube}}
=Accolades=
=End-of-year lists=
See also
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{IMDb title}}
- {{KMDb film}}
- {{HanCinema film}}
- [http://movie.naver.com/movie/bi/mi/basic.nhn?code=198413 Decision to Leave] at Naver Movies
{{Park Chan-wook}}
{{Navboxes
|title=Awards for Decision to Leave
|list=
{{Baeksang Arts Award Grand Prize – Film}}
{{Blue Dragon Film Award for Best Film}}
{{Buil Film Awards for Best Film}}
{{Chicago Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Dallas–Fort Worth Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Florida Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Grand Bell Awards Best Picture}}
{{London Film Critics Circle Award for Foreign Language Film of the Year}}
{{Online Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{San Francisco Bay Area Film Critics Circle Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Seattle Film Critics Society Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
{{Washington D.C. Area Film Critics Association Award for Best Foreign Language Film}}
}}
{{South Korean submissions for the Academy Award}}
{{Portal bar|2020s|Film|South Korea|Crime}}
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Category:2022 multilingual films
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Category:2020s South Korean films
Category:CJ Entertainment films
Category:Films directed by Park Chan-wook
Category:Films set in Gyeonggi Province
Category:Police detective films
Category:South Korean mystery films
Category:South Korean detective films
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Category:South Korean mystery thriller films