One of my last remaining traditions is a birthday movie and this year was a tough call because nothing jumped out at me as a "must-see". Many recommended Marty Supreme, but I couldn't bring myself to spending my birthday with Lil' Timmy. I'll see it at some point, just not this time. Hamnet? Again, I'll get to it. The Bone Temple? Other than it sounds like a strip cub, I didn't see the previous 28 Years Later so it was a non-starter. Sam Raimi's Send Help would have been a possibility if it didn't open a day later. And if I want to see K-Pop Demon Hunters, I can watch it in the privacy of my own home without judgment. I was stumped.
So I opted for No Other Choice on almost a dare to myself, not knowing much about it other the director Park Chan-wook whose Oldboy is amazing beyond my belief. The story, such as it is, concerns a man who wants to eliminate the competition for a job he desperately covets. Timely? You bet it is. Did I choose well, grasshoppers? Well...I can't say I was disappointed because I had no expectations going in, but going out is another story. This may fall under the category of "I didn't get it" and only made me a passive viewer. While I was never bored, I really can't wait for it to end until something semi-interesting would occur to keep my interest alive, a tough job for a nearly two and a half movie that was a bot of a slog. Not just because it too is a Korean film, I have to compare it in style and tone to the much better Parasite from a couple of years back. While I wouldn't see No Other Choice again or recommend it to anyone, I'm still glad I gave it a shot. Reminds me of one of the reasons I love film, especially in a theatrical setting.
To borrow a phrase, I had No Other Choice.
