rabbit-26960
I have put off writing this review for so long but I felt that I could not go on longer without paying this movie tribute. This is also my first review on this site. I didn't even intend to write it in the first place, because until now, I still don't believe my words will do justice to the sheer beauty of this movie.The first thing that catch your eyes when watching the movie is probably Mrs. Chan's "cheongsam". This also seems to be all women's sole costume choice throughout the entire movie. The "cheongsams" are elegantly designed, highly complementing of Maggie Cheung's lithe body, for it accentuates every curve and edge of the body. Mrs. Chan, like her dresses, is always immaculate, in her hair, her graceful gait. All of this deliberately adds to the sensuality of the movie, without being crude. Moreover, the "cheongsams" also indicate time pass by, every time a new one appears on-screen, we know it's a new day.The next thing that is highly prevalent and which I greatly revelled in is the use of window shots. The brilliant use of this techniques creates a sense of observation to viewers. It felt to me that I was watching something secretive yet enticing in its own way, and the general mood this technique actuates is simply beautiful.There are a lot more, my words do not do any justice to this movie, the use of colours, slow shots, silhouettes, the soundtrack (Oh how I love the soundtrack)... The absolutely breath-taking corridor sequence, the brilliantly filmed conversation in the restaurant (I had never witnessed a more consummate handling of a scene). This movie is incredibly, heart-throbbingly sensual, yet, there was never a need for an explicit act of sexuality.As I once said on Quora, while I was watching this movie, there was a lump in my throat, a swell of almost overwhelming emotions and sentimentality in my body that felt like on the brink of bursting out, yet it did not, and for the first time in my life I felt frustrated and defeated that I don't have the command of as intricate and sophisticated wording as writers like Vladimir Nobokov, so my words simply will not do In The Mood For Love any justice.
Anssi Vartiainen
In Hong Kong in the 1960s, a man and a woman end up living as neighbours. At first they're casual acquaintances, finding some common areas of interest, but barely more than that. Their bond deepens when they find that their spouses might be having an affair with each other. This brings them closer, but they vow not to repeat the sin that has brought them together.In the Mood for Love is a very different kind of love story. It talks just as much about loneliness and the need for human connection as it talks about love or lust or any of that stuff. Both Mrs. Chan (Maggie Cheung) and Mr. Chow (Tony Chiu-Wai Leung) live lives surrounded by people. Their apartments are rented rooms in other people's houses. Those people are rarely more than a doorway away, yet a recurring theme of the movie is them eating alone in their rooms or out on a stand somewhere. Only in each other they find that something that sparks a connection. Yet in 60s Hong Kong their friendship is something they have to hide, something they cannot share with others, adding to their isolation.The story alone is strong enough, but it's also told beautifully. Both of the main actors are superb in their roles, with Maggie Cheung especially pulling off a role of a lifetime. But a huge part of the film's success is also thanks to its director Kar-Wai Wong, who gives the whole film a dreamlike existence. Loneliness is expressed through meaningless of time. Lots of scenes are very similar with one another or they seem to move fluidly from one to another, but suddenly you realize that a significant amount of time has passed. One of the tricks through which this is shown being the changing dresses of Mrs. Chan. The film contains multiple small touches like that, but I shall not ruin them here for you.In fact, time loses so much of its meaning that it's almost recommended to see this movie twice to get the full experience. The friendship and romance between the two main characters is a slow thing and sometimes you realize only a few scenes later that something important already happened.Powerful film and well worth a double-viewing.
mattb12456
I greatly enjoyed this film! Every single shot is a work of art. It is a gorgeous film with fantastic acting. The plot is quiet sad, and the movie slow, but if you can accept that from the start, and enjoy a film for its excellent cinematography, then you will enjoy your time with "In The Mood For Love."
