Year: 2000
Director: Wong Kar-Wai
Country: Hong Kong
Language: Cantonese
Chungking Express' international success put Hong Kong film-maker Wong Kar-Wai on the map; Sight and Sound considered him an innovator of cinema and he would be elevated to mainstream status. Parodied, adopted and imitated Wong's unique techniques were successful in changing the norm of cinema. In The Mood for Love (2000) would similarly be a critical and financial success for the director.
Two neighbors, a woman (Maggie Cheung) and a man (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung), form a strong bond after both suspect extramarital activities of their spouses. However, they agree to keep their bond platonic so as not to commit similar wrongs.
You may think you have seen a great "romantic" film (Titanic, La La Land) but I assure you that you have never seen such a sensitive and poetic picture like In the Mood for Love. Cinematographer Mark Li Ping-bin emphasizes on the sensuous texture of the image, the static quality of the compositions, and the elegant succession of concealed spaces. The limited perspectives are metaphors for hidden secrets and suppressed passion.
Bathed in deep reds and oranges, In the Mood for Love's melodrama is heightened by the romantic colours of the costumes and the sets. Even the props are contrasted with psychology and small changes to the main characters' relationship. What I love about this film is the use of body language; every little movement can have massive consequences & contribute greatly to character development.
Before my viewing of In the Mood for Love I was unsure that I would enjoy the film, but after my viewing I can certainly say that it is a top twenty favourite, if not top ten. I am excited to see the rest of Wong's filmography; hopefully Chungking Express will be as impressive.
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