In The Mood For Love

Rating:
Summary: Love in the Absence of Fate
Review: Perfection in cinema is an almost impossible goal to achieve. Mostly because spectators have varying taste and perspectives. But you can't help but feel that Wong Kar-Wai's "In the Mood for Love" is anything short of perfection. The imagery with its lush colors and breathtaking movements is enough to elevate this film. The simple, yet somewhat complicated tale is both heartfelt and authentic. And the performances by Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung are a marvel. But it's none of these that really makes this film, it's rather the manner that Kar-Wai so magically molds all these factors to set a mood that I have never felt before while watching a movie. In all honesty, I'm really not too fond of "forbidden love" movies, but this film really startled me.

Ironically, "In the Mood for Love" feels nothing like a Wong Kar-Wai film. It's a very slow moving film which uses lots of fades and dissolves. The Criterion edition of this film is probably the best dvd package I've seen to date. There are just so many extras on it, it's hard to believe. Deleted scenes, interviews, and promotional material, are just a few of the extras. The way Kar-Wai shoots his films (without a script) also adds to the suprise of picture. You see in the extras how much different the original concept was for "In the Mood for Love." There is also an alternate ending that seems very plain, but at the same time very heartbreaking.

Rating:
Summary: Chambers of Love
Review: Perhaps Wong Kar-wai's international attention has diminished viewers' perception of this sumptuous film. Like a star that outshines other nearby stars, people soon forget its intricacies and the wonder and nature of its possible existence.

"In the Mood for Love" is like that intricately woven web of vapours, energies and intensities which shape and form that delicate but volatile atmostphere of a star, or "mood" in the film. It is what rises up to the surface, although our perception of which nonetheless mutates with each subsequent viewing. To say that Wong's films do not have a plot is not entirely true and sounds to me as a repeat of the often heard soundbytes from other viewers/reviewers. The thing is, Wong makes visible what other directors would rather not show, Wong's vision is that of an alternative version of the same story. And one that is told through images, colour, light, music, movement.

So, one may say that this is a story about Mrs Chow and Mr Chan's affair - the respective spouses of Tony Leung's and Maggie Cheung's characters - it is an affair which we (as audiences) do not and cannot identify with, as these characters are virtually nameless and faceless in the entire film.

So too, the characters that we do see in the film - Mr Chow and Mrs Chan - refuses to identify with this affair. But for them, try as they might to keep reality at bay, they are, nonetheless, entangling and ensnaring themselves into a labrythine web that they themselves have spun -- by play-acting and role-swapping -- they have discovered their own yearning and desire/love for each other.

Like the four chambers of the heart - love, deceit, self-deception and desire circulate. But like a heart that has closed-in on itself, it is claustrophobic, suffocating and barely alive.

The movement and rhythm of the film is like that slow-waltz (the main theme of the film - Yumei's theme) and the ravishing cinematography - so close is that camera movement to that of Hou Hsiao-hsien's film "Flowers of Shanghai" (shot by the same DOP, Mark Lee Bing) that one is hypnotically absorbed into the fabric of the film, its colours, the texture and density of the images. Wong is building layer upon layer of memories, fictional and real, combining his own childhood memories of the 60's in Hong Kong to imagined memories that could only have come from a distant future - year 2000 of contemporary HK.

When you watch this film, please allow yourself the luxury of time, after all, Wong did take 18 months to make it. And Maggie said in a Chinese interview that without this time, she would not have been able to play Mrs Chan as she did, "when my nails are painted a certain shade of pink, and my hair and makeup is done, my hands automatically place themselves in a certain way..." I think this says much about the truth Wong translates on screen -- that it exists because of his patience with time. So, I guess it'll be nice to do him the same courtesy and make time to see this film - and let its mood absorb you for a while.


Rating:
Summary: DVD's Don't Get Better Than This
Review: This is a love story set in China in the early 1960's. A man and woman are neighbours and discover that their spouses are having an affair. They meet to discuss, to commiserate, to comfort but finally fall in love. They don't want to be like their partners though. The movie is about passion, but also about restraint - how love can make us not act, rather than act. The scenes are beautifully shot, the costumes stunning and with the wet streets, the slow pacing and Nat King Cole singing Spanish in the background you are transported to another time. Often it felt more like an Italian film of the early 60's than a Chinese film made just last year. It is layered and rich in content and style.I have watched the DVD five or six times already and still discover more nuances with each viewing.

The Criterion Collection two-disc DVD is what DVD's are really meant to be. The making of featurette and the deleted scenes allow even deeper insights into an already intriguing film. I especially enjoyed the interviews with Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung at the Toronto Film Festival - you can really appreciate the charm of these two very talented actors.

This is a DVD to be enjoyed again and again. It is the gem in my DVD library.

Rating:
Summary: Eloquent, and quietly piercing
Review: This is a truly beautiful film, both in terms of its physical assets, and the subtly wonderful acting.
Both of the actors turn in fantastic performance. I cannot praise one more than the other-they were both completely inside the film, no longer actors, but the characters that they were playing. Visually, the film was breathtaking. The cinematography was simply stunning- sensuous, and vivid almost like another character within the film.
The bittersweet, mysterious soundtrack proved once again the power music can have over af film. Much of the film's elusive atmosphere of impending doom is due to this amazing music. A pained Japanese waltz, and sexy Latin jazz work miracles.

However, the true revelation in this movie remains the fact of how much is understood, how much emotion is felt, all the while so little is said.

In conclusion, this film really left an impact on me. It left me feeling things I couldn't either explain or comprehend. It is certainly not for everyone-if you like films that spell out their meaning, and have an exciting plot, then this is DEFINATELY not for you. However, if you're looking for something with meaning that just happens to be stunningly acted, directed, and put together, you abosolutely must see "In the Mood for Love".

Rating:
Summary: It blew me away !
Review: This is one exceptional movie with some great music. The original name of the movie is Hua Yang Nian Hua. The movie is about a man and a woman. They are both married and unhappy with their spouses. They get close to each other when they discover the similarities in their life. The movie is set in 60s has a gentle pace and engrossing with a delightful music. The DVD comes with a companion DVD and a booklet. Definitely a collectors item.

Rating:
Summary: a true art-house film.
Review: This review is for the Criterion Collection DVD edition of the film.

In the Mood for Love released in Hong Kong with the Cantonese language title of "Fa yeung nin wa" and "Hua yang nian hua" in Mandarin for mainland China is director Wong Kar Wai's best known film to date.

The film is set in 1960's Hong kong and about two couples who live in adjoining apartments. When the man of one apartment and the woman of the other suspect that their respective spouses are having an affair they become close friends.

The film is very well photographed and has excellent camera angles. It also has some excellent music which is very unique and beautiful. There are several repeating theme music including a beautiful waltz.

The film has many special features.

Disc one contains the film with an optional isloated music and sound effects soundtrack, an interactive essay on the film's music with jumps to scenes that have the music mentioned. it also has four deleted scenes, 3 of which have optional chinese language commentary, with English subtitles. finally there is a short film of archive footage of old nitrate films that were discovered at a cinema in San Francisco's Chinatown.

Disc two contains a documentary on the film's production titled "@ in the mood for Love". There are two interviews with director Wong Kar Wai, footage of a press conference that followed a screening at the Toronto Film Festival, an essay on the film's setting of 1960's Hong Kong, a photo gallery, cast & crew biographies, an electronic press kit, lobby cards galery, TV spots and trailers.

The liner notes also have the short story "Intersection" which inspired the film.

This is bound to be remembered as a big art-house hit.

Rating:
Summary: wet streets and a waltz
Review: Wong Kar-Wai allows us to understand an old story in a new way. The characters make their way through this film bound by conventions that will not allow fruition of an affair. These characters are aware of their situation but powerless to change. We are taken to another era with the use of beautiful colors, a good soundtrack and an excellent wardrobe. Wandering through the wet streets of 1962 Hong Kong, sweeping camera work follows our characters amongst casual and accidental encounters. The movie conveys nostalgia, care and fondness to each scene. Slow motion images of Maggie Cheung walking across the screen, accompanied by a waltz, reminds us of cinema's charm. It is good to see an emerging director with Wong Kar-Wai's presence.

Maggie Cheung, suspicious of her husbands fidelity, is consoled in her discreet interactions with her neighbor Tony Leung, who gives a quality performance as a man trapped in a unsatisfying relationship. For both characters the possibilities of a different life permeates their thoughts and meetings. With Wong Kar-Wai's approach to writing and filming, a portrayal of longing and romance is brought to show a more universal glimpse at life. I recommend this to anyone seeking to view the fine cinema and the quality film making going on today.