Review of In the Mood for Love (2000) by Collin B — 27 May 2008

SPOILERS AHEAD.

In its own unique way, Wong Kar-Wai's "In The Mood For Love" is a masterpiece. Or, even if it isn't a masterpiece, I am awarding it the full five stars simply because I have reacted to it so strongly, more strongly than any movie I have seen in quite a while. Any minor doubt or quibble set aside, I absolutely love this movie. This is my favorite kind of film, one that's really in touch not only with the broad strokes, but the minor details of human life and interaction. From the moment we first see Su Li-zhen and Mr. Chow sitting, facing one other in silence like the two lost and yearning teenagers they've been reduced to, it's clear that Wong Kar-Wai's film is something special. I hesitate to call "In The Mood For Love" a "romance film" because the term has developed a connotation that really wouldn't do it justice. This is a story filled with desperation. It is also a story about regret, the passing of time, and the loss of opportunity.

Thankfully, the film is wise enough not to force superficial plot developments onto its characters and their lives. What happens in the end should be no surprise to anyone carefully watching. Like I said, I loved this movie. I'll admit though, I was a bit concerned at first as the film began to widen its scope in its final twenty-five minutes. I thought "No! Please, please don't mess this up by stretching it out further than it needs to go". But, as it turns out, I had nothing to worry about. The final scene is a bit epic in comparison to the rest of the film, but it fits perfectly, a reminder that no matter where you go, the memory of lost love is sure to follow.