11/7/22 - Decision to Leave (2022) - 8/10

Hitchcock meets In the Mood for Love (and Death). It does not have the extremes of Park’s other works but lacks in no sense, sliding subtly into delicate majesty and enchanting brilliance.

A dynamic and spellbinding vision with some truly mesmerizing shots, doubly so when paired with the cunning script’s knifing. Bombastic camera work and direction so keenly laid out and executed. It is a marvel to the senses, most especially your sense of wonder for cinema.

Such a lovely palette Park has. His expressive color and pattern usage, that continues on from his previous works, is so delectable and captivating. The dazzling optical arrays Park surrounds his characters with are so intricate and exceptional that they jar me into awareness each time.

The madness and passion of love tied along with that of pursuant murder investigation - devoting one’s whole self to, perhaps to the point of dissolution. Evolving passion that can’t be consummated juxtaposed with the cunning crimes that refuse resolution - it is just such a tasty ballet of metaphor, ethics, and romance spinning into infinity.

Such an affecting title usage - deliberately evoking the will and the finality - double meanings and metaphorical whimsy.

Park is my favorite director working and I am in love with all his work, but Decision is a masterpiece whether you are infatuated with this film master or not.