Hyde Park Pick: No Other Choice

Man-su happily is passing his days with his wife Miri (Son Yejin), their two children and two dogs in the stylish and expansive home he grew up in and now owns. One day his contentment is shattered when he is suddenly informed by his company that he has been fired.

“We’re sorry. We have no other choice.”

From this point onwards, the film is all about choice.

Like Chan-wook’s other work, No Other Choice is exceptionally stylish, the beauty playing in sharp contrast with the ugliness of some of his characters' actions. It’s also deeply entertaining, darkly funny and unwaveringly tense at times. I’m curious as to how much No Other Choice is also an interesting film of our time. It follows a man driven to achieve a self (and societally) determined vision of success without a mind to the costs. But when the costs are so great is the success ever worth it?

There's something interesting here in the similarities between No Other Choice and Marty Supreme, two very different films but both feel like they’re exploring some traditional ideas of what a successful man should be (winner, leader, father, husband, provider). These notions had perhaps felt like they were in a state of flux or evolution but then the big voices on our world stage at the moment are pulling us back. At what cost are these choices being made?

No Other Choice is showing at HPPH from Fri 23 Jan. You can book tickets here.