No Other Choice – Movie Reviews by Ry!

No Other Choice – Paper in Love / Paper in Death

Life is, or can be, a path of many things.  From one step to the next, we all march forward facing different aspects of fate and choice.  For all the twist and turns that happen, who will you be in the end?   This type of question becomes a place where stories can blossom, especially in films.  In this review, I look at the latest Korean Drama to hit the big screen.  Through the circumstances of life, we head on a journey of odd moments and wholesome appeals.  For all the obvious plot ploys that happen, No Other Choice is an interesting complexion of family, career and how far you will go to succeed. 

When a career man is faced with dire circumstances, he will go to any means necessary to achieve his goal, even if it means murder.  There are many aspects to storytelling that stand out.  From characters to genre, the push and pull that happens in a journey becomes a rapture in kind.  For all that follows suit, one thing that can also be tantalizing is culture.  With foreign films, there is a certain nuance that layers in the typical archetypes and tropes that may lead to a different kind of experience.  In the beginning, we come into this film through the drop-in method, following Man-su (Lee Byung-hun) a career man in the paper industry.  After a series of familial and general character interactions, Man-su ends up losing his job because his company merges with an American firm.  This leads to a series of life adjustments that strain his relationships, especially with his wife, Miri (Son Ye-Jin).  As things start to unravel through typical character motifs, the turn of unique decisions begin when Man-su concocts a deadly plan to get hired by another big paper company: kill those that are applying for the same job (plot point).  From here, the film moves through a mixture of intriguing situations that blends characterization, thematic appeal and cultural focused moments that build up a journey that rises beyond familiarity.  From Man-su and Miri’s interactions to the odd murderous intent, the unique blend of directive sensibilities helps break the predictability of the moment, playing against tropes through odd blends of situational humor and melodramatic dialogue.  That slashing of unexpectedness helps put a lens on the hazy aspect of choice.  It is in these placid moments where you see that blend of cultural and humanistic themes, creating a parallel that grips you to understanding the goal … but questioning if it is truly the only way.

From the characters to moments, the driving of situations is through the directive sensibilities.  The turns of genres soften dire moments, creating a place where conversations are layered with wit and charm that is ironically delightful.  As Man-su continues on his plan, the turning of the tide is weighted down by a series of convenient plot devices … but it leads into a finale that is truly a breakdown on the complexity of life and personal choice.  No Other Choice blends cultural and character into a unique journey about life.  If you are a fan of Korean dramas or Character films, this is one for you.  For everyone else, there is enough here for a good time at the theaters.

Full Score – 3.5 out of 5 (Matinee)