Review of In the Mood for Love (2000) by Jeremy C — 15 Jul 2008

The Sistene Chapel of Asian cinema, and that isn't an exaggeration in the slightest. This film is a sheer perfection of cinema, taking its time to let the world of the film breathe and not cave to any conventions of expectations.

All of the technical aspects of the film are astoundingly masterful, with some of the best camera-work in modern cinema. The leads, Leung and Cheung are graceful and restrained in these almost undefinable roles.

This film will not easily reveal itself, and probably requires multiple viewings before it starts to unravel, but its excellence its readily apparent from the first few frames.