“The Decision to Leave” Uncertain memories and vision, what is the “solution” in life?

Illusion and division

"The Decision to Leave" has multiple perspectives. The first shot of the film is of Hae-jun (Park Hae-il) and his subordinate Soo-wan (Go Kyung-pyo) practicing gun shooting on either side of a pillar, subtly expressing the theme of division. The boss and the subordinate are placed side by side on a pseudo-split screen, separated by a pillar. However, the "image of the two" in this film is a mirror image, not a mirror image. The word "we" that Hae-jun uses to convey his affection for the other is questioned by his subordinate Soo-wan, his wife Jeong-an (Lee Jung-hyun), and So-rae. You and I may be similar, but we are not the same.

Just as he referenced " Rebecca " (16) in " The Handmaiden " (1940), for Park Chan-wook, the films of Alfred Hitchcock are also objects of fetishistic love. In this film, the images of Hitchcock's films, including " Vertigo " (1958), are rewritten, but these reference images that Park Chan-wook has made flesh and blood from are no longer just homages; they are clothed in the unique function and elegance of Park Chan-wook's films. They may be similar, but they are not the same.

"I also suggested to the costume designer how to use colors, saying, 'I want a dress that looks green in this kind of lighting and blue in another lighting.' And I reflected that idea in the script." (Park Chan-wook)*2

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The film revolves around optical illusions and misinterpretations as a narrative and cinematographic theme. Sole's beautiful, striking green costume can also appear blue depending on the light and angle. The ocean is depicted on the wallpaper in Sole's room, but depending on the angle, it can also look like mountains. The brilliance of the costumes and production design of this film approaches the realm of Pedro Almodóvar's films.

Seo Rae is accused of pushing her husband off a cliff. The interrogation room facing Seo Rae and Hye Jun has a large mirror and several monitors. Seo Rae may have laughed for a moment during the interrogation. Hye Jun's colleagues make a fuss. But Seo Rae's smile as seen through the monitor may have been an illusion. Hye Jun often uses eye drops while working so he can see the object in front of him accurately. Hye Jun is a meticulous man who takes pride in his work. However, the closer he gets to the object in his pursuit of accuracy, the blurrier the outline becomes.

Even that person's fingers