Review of In the Mood for Love (2000) by Joe G — 06 Nov 2010

While some may find In the Mood painfully slow, it is exactly this slow pace that draw those who do like it to it. The cinematography, set design, and wardrobe are beautiful, and Wong knows this, often electing to go in slow-mo as the characters smoke and classical music plays.

This wouldn't be a Wong Kar Wai film without the unconventional love story and poetic dialog, and I love both aspects. These two main characters (who are brilliantly acted by Maggie Cheung and one of my favorite modern actors Tony Leung) come together because they know their spouses are cheating with one another.

They soon find they might have feelings for one another, but unlike their less faithful partners, they just can't cheat. There's something very moving about that. Sure, it may be a little artsy-fartsy, but that doesn't mean it's bad.