Film Review: In the Mood for Love

Posted on the 18 June 2013 by Donnambr @_mrs_b
Review of: In the Mood for Love (2000)
Film:
Kar Wai Wong
Reviewed by: David M. Brown
Rating:
5
On June 18, 2013Last modified:June 18, 2013

Summary:

In the Mood for Love is a carefully paced but beautiful film.

More DetailsAbout In the Mood for Love (2000)Hong Kong, 1962. Mrs Chan (Maggie Cheung) and her husband rent a room in the same building as Chow Mo-Wan (Tony Leung) and his wife. After a while, and with their partners seemingly always away on business, Mr Chow and Mrs Chan become friends, their hesitant, considerate relationship making their nights alone more bearable. But why do their spouses spend so much time away? And why is it always at the same time? Directed by Wong Kar-Wai (‘Chungking Express’), this finely detailed, beautifully photographed love story was widely acclaimed by critics all over the world.

Starring: Tony Leung Chiu Wai, Maggie Cheung, Ping Lam Siu, Tung Cho ‘Joe’ Cheung, Rebecca Pan

Directed by: Kar Wai Wong

Runtime: 94 minutes

Studio: Palisades Tartan

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Review: In the Mood for Love

I’d previously seen and enjoyed Kar Wai Wong’s 2046 (2004), which is the sequel to In The Mood For Love, so I’ve been eager to go back and see the first film for some time. Set in Hong Kong in 1962, a journalist Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung) moves into an apartment building on the same day as Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung) who is a secretary. They become next-door neighbours and are married to partners whose work keeps them away for long periods. The film traces the loneliness of both Chow and Su before both come together through a series of meetings, united in their suspicions that their partners are having affairs. It soon becomes apparent that Chow’s wife is having an affair with Su’s husband. This brings Chow and Su closer though they remain friends and are determined not to lower themselves to the same level as their partners.

In the Mood for Love focuses on the intensity of emotions rather than exploring the lust, passion and sex of infidelity. In the early stages we watch Chow and Su often alone in their rooms, passing each other on the street with a polite glance but nothing more. Over time they begin to talk and eventually realize the truth about their partners in a difficult conversation about a tie and a handbag that each have received as gifts but these items are recognised as also being owned by the other’s partners! Chow’s wife and Su’s husband are also in Japan at the same time and stay there for a while so it’s not the best hidden affair. Chow begins to fill his hours writing and asks Su to help him though their friendship draws suspicion from the other residents. They find themselves re-enacting the movements of their partners, trying to imagine how they began an affair and how they will confront them about their lies. The closer Chow and Su get though, the more they are forced to fight feelings developing for one another.

I enjoyed this more than 2046 which was also an emotional experience. Leung and Cheung are both superb in the leads, depicting the vulnerability of their respective characters impeccably and the relationship that they are determined to stop developing is one you will be desperate for them to begin. The ending is particularly poignant and will both frustrate and move the audience as resolutions finally take place but do they fight for their marriages, walk away, or do they try to be together?

In the Mood for Love is a carefully paced but beautiful film. Physical contact between Chow and Su is at a minimum but their characters still manage to turn the emotional levels up to max. This is a simple but heartfelt story of two lonely people that suffer the worst betrayal and find comfort in one another during their darkest days. Highly recommended.

Verdict: 5/5

(Film source: reviewer’s own copy)

About the Author:

I was born in Barnsley, South Yorkshire, England and have always been a bookworm and enjoyed creative writing at school. In 1999 I created the Elencheran Chronicles and have been writing ever since. My first novel, Fezariu's Epiphany, was published in May 2011. When not writing I'm a lover of films, games, books and blogging. I now live in Huddersfield, West Yorkshire, with my wife, Donna, and our six cats - Kain, Razz, Buggles, Charlie, Bilbo and Frodo.

David M. Brown – who has written 717 posts on Tweedle Dee and Tweedle Dave.

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