In the Mood for Love (2000)
Overview
In 1962 Hong Kong, neighbors Chow Mo-wan and Su Li-zhen discover their spouses are having an affair. As they spend time together, they develop feelings for each other, but their relationship remains chaste and unspoken, reflecting societal constraints and their own moral compass.
Cast
Maggie Cheung
Su Li-zhen
Tony Leung
Chow Mo Wan
Rebecca Pan
Mrs. Suen
Kelly Lai Chen
Mr. Ho
Siu Ping-Lam
Ah Ping
Mama Hung
Amah
Joe Cheung
Man Living in Mr. Koo's Apartment
Roy Cheung Yiu-Yeung
Mr. Chan (voice)
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CinemaSerf
This is a fine piece of cinema from Wong Kar-Wai that tells us a story of two people whom circumstance throws together - but not in a way you might expect. We start with two couples who move into a new building. One a newspaper man with his wife, the other a business executive and his wife. The businessman is rarely at home, nor is the journalist's wife - which leaves the other two at increasingly loose ends. It isn't long before a friendship develops - usually over some noodles - and though entirely platonic, their relationship becomes solid and trusting. Then, something entirely unexpected occurs that causes the two to refocus their relationship in the face of betrayal and disappointment - and well.... What helps this film stand out are the performances from both Tony Leung ("Chow Mo-wan") and the gorgeous Maggie Cheung ("Mrs. Chan") - it's a love story, and it burns intensely - but not physically - as their story subsumes both themselves and the audience. The film looks marvellous, is paced stylishly and uses quite a bit of Nat King Cole to set and keep the mood atmospheric, romantic and interesting. The photography offers us lingering close ups, we get a sense of them falling in love as if we, too, were undergoing the same experience and that all adds to the richness of the story. To give us a breather from the intensity, there are some fun scenes with their very close neighbours who love nothing better than to sit up all night playing mahjong!! Super film, this - flew by.
