Review of In the Mood for Love (2000) by Blake P — 13 Jul 2012

"In the Mood for Love" is yet another masterpiece by visionary director Wong Kar-Wai. Known for films that explore depression, love, illness, and death, "In the Mood for Love" shows him at the top of his game.

The second part of an informal trilogy that consists of 1990's "Days of Being Wild", and 2004's "2046" as the closer, this film just might be the best of the three. Though obviously slow, the atmosphere really grabs you, and makes up for the building of both of these characters.

The film provides us with a melancholy, dramatic world that doesn't let go until the film itself is over. But when Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan's relationship morphs into a more lyrical one, you can't help but become sucked into this world Kar-Wai's built for us.

It's simply beautiful-- the cinematography matches the mood of the film while keeping us confined in a claustrophobic place just like the characters, and the music surprisingly hits all the right notes (no pun intended).

But of course, those aspects are not what grabs us most during "In the Mood for Love". It's of course, Cheung and Tony Leung's wonderful performances. Cheung provides us with such a tragic heroine that every minute of her life you can't help but sympathize.

But the performance itself consists more of facial expression and body language and only a versatile actress as consistent as Cheung could pull it off. Leung matches right up with his leading lady perfectly, and is probably the best film they've ever worked on together.

He provides us with such a kind, empathetic character that there isn't a moment in the film where you want him to fail. If only this film had a happy ending. "In the Mood for Love" is a beautiful film that speaks more than any other foreign film I've seen.

Highly recommended.