Review of Chungking Express (1994) by Martin D — 05 Apr 2008

This is a ridiculously awesome movie. Kar Wai-Wong has turned film into the moving equivalent of experimental photography, using extremely blurred images, complicated reflections, very specific focus, diagonally shifting angles, fast and slow motion in the same shot, and a handheld camera which gives all the closeness and intensity of documentary while using the aesthetics and perfection of a narrative.

But besides the techniques, it's one of the funniest, most lyrical, and especially, most romantic - in the nostalgic and reflective sense of the word - movies I've ever seen. Part of Wong's magic is his ability to make the most mundane tasks performed by his characters into an exhilarating, dizzying sequence of music and colors.

The other part is having Tony Leung hold extended conversations with his bar of soap, towel, and stuffed animals.