Review of Chungking Express (1994) by Carlos Z — 11 Feb 2009

I missed this for a long time, even though I was a Wong Kar-wai fan and had chances. Well, I finally sat and watched it. And it is great. The second story, with the great Tony Leung, really stands high over the first, but the first is at a bit of a handicap in that the protag female is hidden and asleep through much.

And the copy I had, though I love Taratino?s enthusiasm, was hosted by him and his ill-fated venture to bring us movies he loved that we probably didn?t see. I?m sure they are all great movies, but he doesn?t need to talk about them and put his face on them. One thing he does say is that you cannot help but fall in love with Faye Wong, and I believe that true for most men and some women. I have to look into more from her other than 2046, which I already saw.

It?s a great and subtle tale of not real romance, but the promise of romance for people who may not be looking for it, but need it. And how modern life can make those connections difficult. It gives great situations of ?force? liaisons and bring a great visual style to it. Gotta love Wong.