I have never seen one of Kar Wai Wong films before, and only saw this one after reading about his newest film 2046. The concept of that film intrigued me, so I looked into his previous films, and the praise that In The Mood For Love had received inspired me to seek it out. I'm glad that I did, because I wasn't disappointed at all.
The story in itself is a simple one. Two neighbours (Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung) discover that their respective spouses are having an affair with each other, and this draws them together. They discover they have more in common with each other than they do with their unfaithful spouses, and a friendship grows between them. Although they are becoming gradually closer, they insist that they will not end up going down the same route.
Set mostly in Hong Kong in the 1960s, the film is stunning visually, something all the more impressive when it's considered that the film only uses a handful of sets throughout it's entire run. When combined with a soundtrack that fits the time and place perfectly, the film has an incredible atmosphere that just can not be found in most films.
Where the film should be most applauded, however, is in it's relationship between Chan and Chow. Rather than have them just rush into some physical attraction like a lot of films would have done, we're given time to watch their relationship develop. Even with this, it never turns into a typical film relationship. Despite their love for each other, it still always feels like you're watching two very close friends rather than lovers. It's this uniqueness that makes In The Mood For Love so intriguing to watch.
I'm hesitant to compare this film to Lost In Translation, largely because this existed before the more known Coppola film did. However, I did find myself drawing these comparisons throughout the film. The two films do cover similar ground, both in the nature of their story and the way they deal with characters. Although it may be unfair to compare the two, it does offer some indication of what to expect from this film.
Overall, I found In The Mood For Love to be a stunning film, despite it's lack of any sensational or overly dramatic storyline. The film is proof in itself that ordinary people in ordinary situations can be much more interesting than the things we usually have presented to us on screen.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
Production Year: 2004 - Drama - Director: Nick Cassavetes - Original Language: English - Classification: 15 years and over, 12 years and over - Starring: Rachel McAdams, Ryan Gosling, Gena Rowlands
Production Year: 1995 - Drama - Director: Ang Lee - Original Language: English - Classification: Universal - Starring: Emma Thompson, Alan Rickman, Kate Winslet, Hugh Grant, Greg Wise, Hugh Laurie, Robert Hardy
now you mention it, lost in translation shares simiarities with this, and is also v diff. An interesting comparison. Thanks for the insight.
jesi 21.08.2004 23:40
despite not being told where to find this and for what price - I was touched by the simplicity of the phrasing and the completeness of the opinion. ≈≈≈≈{; -)-{{:::::|||||<
LR_17 02.08.2004 20:01
I'm suddenly reminded of a song with the same words as your title! How odd! Great review and haven't seen this! Leila :)
Hong Kong, 1962. Chow (Tony Leung - 'Happy Together', 'Hard Boiled') is a junior newspaper ... more
editor with and elusive wife. His new neighbour Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung - 'Days Of Being Wild', 'Irma Vep') is a secretary whose husband seems to spend all his ti...
![In The Mood For Love [2000] [DVD]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/78549937.jpg "In The Mood For Love [2000] [DVD]")
Jun 26th, 2004
very helpful by (50%):
helpful by (50%):
