This year marks the 10 year anniversary of the film's release.
And after 10 years, this film is still amazingly beautiful in both story and visual.
But this one's eating my popcorn!
I just finished watching it for the second time. First saw it about 3 years ago. I realised there were so many things I missed out, some minor points and some big things. Beautiful film.
shareCongrats on your rewatch. :D
But this one's eating my popcorn!
It's one of my favourite films. I always recommend it to others. I can see myself watching this film over and over again. Oh and I love Maggie Cheung... Tony Leung too. :)
shareYes, it is. I often watch "In the Mood for Love," "2046," and "The Hand" from "Eros" back to back myself (I know that "The Hand" doesn't have any connection with "In the Mood for Love" and "2046", but I watch it primarily because of the fact it's a Wong Kar Wai piece). I even watch the "Six Days" music video he shot for DJ Shadow as well. I can't help but wonder if we will be getting another film following the characters of "In the Mood for Love" and "2046." It would be great to get to see a piece set in the 1970s (a deleted scene from "In the Mood for Love" took place in the 1970s, which sparked my interest in a 70s period piece by Wong Kar Wai and I think it would be great to see a lot of the familiar faces from both films in another set during this period). That's just me of course. :D
But this one's eating my popcorn!
I've seen this movie online for the first time only yesterday, with English subtitles.
And quite a coincidence to learn that this year is its tenth anniversary!
This is only the second time I've seen Tony Leung in a movie, really not familiar with him at all, but I was impressed with how he portrayed his role here, such a charming aura he projected in his character, so different from the tight-lipped, suspicious and cruel one he had in the first movie I've seen him in - Ang Lee's Lust, Caution (Se, jie) - as a puppet official of the Japanese in Shang-hai. He was very good in this earlier romantic drama of a movie.
My only complaint - minor one actually - is the feeling I had of being boxed in with some of the scenes, it gave me somewhat a feeling of claustrophobia, the very narrow corridor or hall between the rooms. Then the street leading to the building where they live always seems uninhabited, very quiet, sad and as if isolated, they'd be walking in it and there seems to be no people living in it. The stairwell itself looked dark and dinghy, its only the noodle shop that is alive and busy with people. In fact, the story of Mrs. Chan and Mr. Chou seems to be as if they are leading their lives in exclusivity of the social group in the building where they both rent their separate rooms. The woman especially prefers not to socialize too much with the others, always deferring the invitation of the landlady to eat with her. Mr. Chou doesn't have a scene too where he congregates with the other occupants of the building as well. I don't know if that was deliberate on the part of director Kar wai Wong, some message there perhaps which eluded me.
I like though the scenes with rain, they were beautifully shot. Then too the gentle romantic flow of the story is engaging as well as the emotional tension, and then the obvious but only implied sexual release without resorting to graphic scenes. The ending too was quite realistic and though not the simplistic "and they live happily ever after", there is hope that someday their paths will cross again and maybe things will work out better for the two of them, or rather for the three, since there is already a child involved in their lives..
Truth inexorably,inscrutably seeks and reveals Itself into the Light.
I couldn't have said that any better. :D
BTW, about the claustrophobia, don't worry. I'm sure Wong Kar Wai wanted to convey that feeling, as it would relate to the two lead character's restraint of their emotions.
If you haven't, try finding a copy of "2046." It's just as good as "In the Mood for Love."
But this one's eating my popcorn!