Andha Neela Nadhi Karai Oram, Nee Nindrirunthaai Anthi Neram,
Naan Paadi Vanthen Oru Raagam, Naam Pazhagi Vanthom Sila Kaalam…
These are the lines from the song Partha Nyabagam Illayo… from a tamil movie called Puthiya Paravai (1964) (which was inspired by Chase a Crooked Shadow (1958), A Hitchcockian kind of drama). I was thinking about these lines when I saw the poetic ending and the vibe that I got from the relationship between the lead characters Seo-rae and Hae-jun.
It is indescribable, the way Park Chan-wook places an emotional / relationship story at the core of something like a mysterious whirlpool — Every single time. Decision To Leave left me with a feel of witnessing a romance drama under the great wave off Kanagawa. Marries the sensibilities of a Hitchcockian drama and a Murakami story. Well, a spy and the suspect in the mood for love.
The way Park Chan-wook’s movies play out, it’s a strange trail. It’s intoxicating. At times, one could also get the feeling of being lost. But the effect it has on the viewer, after the movie is over, is like a thick layer of fog taking it’s own sweet time to clear up. I think Park himself is like the hypnotist from Oldboy who takes you and leaves you in a particular zone, from where our lives has to resume and carry on.
I loved the editing, for instance, how Seo-rae watching TV and Hae-jun having sex with his wife is tied into one scene. The way “The Mist” song plays in the elderly woman’s phone, later switching to Seo-rae’s car and then to Hae-jun’s car is superb. The way how detective Hae-jun get involved in Seo-rae’s life is again shown beautifully — As if getting himself transported to the actual scene while he is watching her through the binoculars. Was reminded of the sequences in Vikram(2022) when Fahadh’s character walks the same trail as Kamal’s character while investigating about him. Lets assume, in an alternate universe, Vikram was all about Fahadh’s character losing his shit obsessing over Kamal’s character.
The camera angles in certain places takes the storytelling to a different level. Be it the shot through the eyes of a dead man or the shot through the eyes of a dead fish from the market, it was adding so much depth.
The interrogation scenes with the mirrors reflecting the bond that is getting developed between the characters is beautiful.
The haunting background score in the end, Seorae reminded me of The Wedding soundtrack from The Handmaiden. Do yourself a favor by going over to YouTube or Spotify and listen to these two tracks, you will have a solid entry on to your sipping-my-tea-on-a-rainy-evening playlist.
Mountains and beaches and the feeling this movie left me with…
Cinema Paradesio 