No Other Choice
Man-su is a husband, father, and successful businessman. A lifelong occupational safety manager for one of South Korea’s major paper manufacturers, Man-su appears to “have it all,” as he tells his family during an early, mildly uncomfortable group-hug scene in Park Chan-wook’s new film, “No Other Choice.” Why do I consider the family hug and verbal affirmation of life success mildly uncomfortable? Well first, because Man-su and his wife Mi-ri have a teenage son (and we know how receptive teenagers are to declarations of family satisfaction); but also because Park Chan-wook’s films are typically very dark. To consider “No Other Choice” a satirical black comedy, we must put greater emphasis on “satirical” than on “comedy.” To wit, if not for Jo Yeong-wook’s light and airy score, we might think we’re watching some sort of twisted Tarantino work, through much of the film’s duration.
Father unemployed
After many years of faithful service to his company, Man-su is laid off during one of those “corporate restructurings” that feel as though they are designed to weed out the old and replace them with younger (read “less expensive”) workers. Initially, Man-su (played by veteran South Korean actor Lee Byung-hun) believes he will immediately find similar work with one of the country’s other leading paper manufacturers. But “immediately” soon turns into three months, then to six, then to a year. As time progresses, we see Man-su work a variety of lower-paying retail jobs, as his job search becomes increasingly tiring.
The always sunny and optimistic Mi-ri (South Korean actress Son Ye-jin, in the film’s finest performance) begins to rearrange the family’s life. She returns to work as a dental assistant; she cancels their daughter’s cello lessons, despite the fact that she is considered a child prodigy; she pawns off the family’s beloved golden retrievers on Man-su’s parents; and she even puts the family house up for sale – even though it is the house Man-su’s father built with his own hands. Finding all these changes difficult to absorb (and fully aware that his own situation has necessitated them), Man-su is particularly alarmed when a “prospective buyer” couple is shown the house, and they spend the entire time commenting on all the changes they want to make.
The “solution”
Notwithstanding Mi-ri’s suggestion that her husband try for work in a different industry, he insists his background is in the paper business, and that is exactly where he belongs. Man-su somehow comes across a company’s list of potential hires for an open, high-level managerial position. He is included on the list. But how will he beat out the competition? After all, we know from earlier scenes that Man-su does not interview well. And here’s where Park Chan-wook’s signature style takes over. Man-su decides to simply eliminate his competition. That’s right. Kill them! If they’re dead, they can’t be hired.
Some of the ensuing attempted murder scenes are darkly humorous, as Man-su turns out to be totally inept at murder. Why he doesn’t farm out the work to a hit man, a la “Fargo” is beyond me. But this isn’t the kind of story we put a lot of thought into. Better to simply go along for the ride. And yes, we laugh occasionally, but my initial reaction is one of regret, rather than encouragement. I’ve suffered through a prolonged period of unemployment and underemployment. I get it. But we all know murder is never the answer.
A better option
How much more refreshing might “No Other Choice” have been had the screenplay seriously concentrated on the midlife crisis of finding work in a society that doesn’t seem to value experience over cost-cutting. This film could have been profound. Instead, it is whimsical – not to be taken seriously, while still leaving a slightly sour taste in the mouth. Park Chan-wook and his writers did adapt “No Other Choice” from a 1997 American novel, “The Ax” by Donald E. Westlake. So, such a change would have compelled the writers to produce an original screenplay. Still, I can’t but wonder if the end result might have been a more fulfilling product.
Seek out others
“No Other Choice” isn’t a bad film at all. But because it could have been so much better, I find myself unable to recommend it – particularly in a season chock full of excellent, Oscar-worthy fare. Skip this one in favor of “Marty Supreme,” “Hamnet,” or “Is This Thing On?” Like foreign films? Seek out the recent Brazilian thriller “The Secret Agent.” It’s a far more accomplished work, and features a rich, multi-layered story of fear and redemption.
Andy Ray‘s reviews also appear on https://townepost.com/tag/film-reviews/