Written and Directed by: Wong Kar-wai
Streaming on MUBI.
I watched this film a year or two back. Even back then, I loved the film for its visual aesthetics and the trippy nature and vibe of the film. Now, in the re-watch, I could appreciate the writing a lot more. Especially the voice-over is written beautifully - it's informative, expository but it's also funny. Every line has some layer of fun or a jab to it. One of the lines which I thought was very simple yet interesting was about how he says that he was born at 6:00 AM and hence, in 2 minutes, he'll actually be 25. It's such a weird detail to think about.The phone call scene was hilarious, where he calls up all the girls he's ever known. Though the scene is funny and filled with dark humor, it never feels like the scene lacks empathy. The scene makes us stay with the character and feel his loneliness, but in a lighter tone. I love how both the women in this film have very distinct visual styles. Their hair, make up and look is so distinct that once you watch this film, you have their imagery etched in your head. It's interesting to be able to create such images within simple settings, without any grandeur.
Wong's portrayal of love, longing and, heartbreak has always been romantic. I'm sure Wong's films would make people who've never faced a heartbreak, go through some kind of a FOMO. I think his films work because he uses trippy visuals, fragmented editing style, interesting pop music and a lot of stylistic elements of filmmaking, to show a simple, singular emotion - longing. In The Mood for Love, is a more focused film and even that film has a beautiful sense of style. But I think Chungking Express is one of those very few films that expanded my vocabulary of cinema, and has defined my stylistic choices as a filmmaker and as an artist.
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