Thanks to Maia (uzuyucky.tumblr.com) for the recommendation
I think in terms of the movies that I've seen, this is the first one that I really struggled with watching. Understand that it has nothing to do with the fact that it's foreign, but the fact that it's an unconventional story.
As a writer who loves character driven story, it was really difficult for me to get a proper grasp of the story. Thank goodness for Wikipedia, am I right?
In any case, let's review!
Story/Dialogue: This film contains two stories. The first is about a cop by the name of He Qiwu, who had his ex break up with him on April Fool's day chasing a woman for a platonic relationship. They meet and spend time with each other before he takes her to a hotel so she can sleep. The woman in question happens to be a smuggler and shoots the drug baron who screwed her over the next day. She then wishes him a happy birthday via message from the hotel that they stayed at, which leads into the second story.
Faye Wong works at the takeout shop that He Qiwu and another cop, designation 663 frequent on their beat.
663 is dealing with a breakup of his own with a flight attendant and the more time he spends at the takeout spot, Faye ends up liking him. Later on the stewardess comes by to give the cop his spare keys to his apartment. Faye uses the key to break into his room and try and improve 663's life. Eventually he figures out she's breaking into his apartment and asks her on a date. She doesn't show and 663 finds out that she's gone to California as a final move before settling down.
She returns to find the takeaway shop is now owned by 663, who is renovating the takeaway shop into a restaurant. They exchange words and there's mention of a boarding pass she drew him a year ago. She writes him a new one and asks him where he wants to go. He replies that he'll go wherever she suggests. The movie finishes there.
Part of the reason I wrote out the over arcing story is that there's no resolution, no real mystery. We, the audience are taking a peek into the window of these people's little worlds. When I say story in regards to Chungking express, I use the term loosely.
The dialogue is heavy with prose, with personifications of towels and apartments. Characters speak their minds, yet the plot doesn't move further when they say things.
Cinematography: The better part of this film is looking at crazy camera angles and wondering at their significance. Or whether there's any point to the closeups that Wong Kar Wai uses. With his use of stop motion and crazy jump cuts, he recreated the crazy Hong Kong atmosphere and made it visually overwhelming to watch.
There were nice beats where we focused on something for a few moments to allow our eyes to rest, but visually this film is one that you'd have to watch again and again to take it all in.
Audio: One song that features in this film frequently is California Dreamin' by the Mamas and the Papas, but interestingly, I was captivated by the Cantonese cover of Dreams by the Cranberries. This aside the film mainly consisted of smooth jazz, the kind you'd expect out of a Dick Tracy comic.
Overall: This movie has received fantastic reviews for those that it's touched upon. I liken it to Sarsaparilla. One of those things where you either like it or you don't.
What annoys me is that while I sort of see what Wong Kar Wai was going for, I found the movie dull. Perhaps I didn't get it, but I wasn't all that drawn in to the visual aspects because I couldn't keep track of the story.
While I respect the work put into it, I wasn't a fan.
3 stars.
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