The job market is hell. People have to invent new ways to make an impression, and sometimes that means murder. No Other Choice is a satirical film from legendary filmmaker Park Chan-wook.
I saw an early screening of this film at the 61st Chicago International Film Festival in October.
No Other Choice follows Yoo Man-su, a recently unemployed man who takes extreme measures to secure a new job. Man-su begins killing his competition.
Man-su convinces himself that this is the best way to secure his family’s future and financial stability. Park takes a humorous approach to Man-su’s descent into madness.
He is a reluctant killer who is almost as incompetent as he is hesitant. His first kill fails miserably. However, he begins to build confidence as he becomes more assured of his abilities and his purpose.
Man-su represents the everyday man. He’s the humble guy who loves his family and believes in every man’s right to provide for them. It’s this clear motive and focus that make him relatable.
That’s one of the keys to No Other Choice’s greatness. Man-su commits these horrendous acts, but he feels so normal that you go along for his journey without fully hating or turning against him.
You want him to win.
Compelling satirical films take you along for the ride and make you completely accept this world. You let go of judgment.
Lee Byung-hun expertly displays the many layers of Man-su. Sometimes he’s pathetic, and you cringe at all his decisions, but other times, he’s sophisticated and complex.
Lee showcases the full spectrum of this character in a way that feels human, honest, and fully formed. This drives home the message that he’s an average man, and this could be you.
He’s just like you in many ways, but willing to go the extra dark mile for success. However, that’s not that different from some billionaires’ quest for business domination. It’s a ‘whatever-it-takes’ ideology that often leads to large-scale success and the exploitation of others.
No Other Choice works because we soon realize that Man-su isn’t in an extraordinary situation but a common one. This shows the gravity of the job market.
Man-su must go through these desperate measures to get a new job. His measures are extreme, but others have done other acts of desperation to gain employment — for example, lying about job qualifications, making other candidates look worse, and covering up less-than-desirable past work misconduct.
No Other Choice doesn’t completely let Man-su off the hook. He chooses to murder because he refuses to accept change. He doesn’t want his wife working too much, doesn’t want to change careers, and doesn’t want to downgrade their lives too much.
This also makes the ending delicious because it forces some change on Man-su.
No Other Choice offers a sharp, biting look at the harsh reality of the current job market. It’s often a funny look, but once you peel back all the comedy, it’s a harsh reality.
To survive, you may have to make a sacrifice. This hopefully doesn’t include murder, but it may include completely changing your life or career just to make it in the constantly changing industries.
This movie will make you laugh, but also sober you up to the workforce problems facing South Korea and other countries as well. It’s a brilliant movie.
Catch No Other Choice at a theater near you.
