Hey folks, Harry here with a look at Wong Kar-Wai's latest... IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE, and for those of you familiar with Wong's work... heheh... well I am sure you share in my delight to find out anything about his latest film. Ah, another film to die to wait to see... here ya go...
Harry,
I just saw the Latin-AICN piece about Wong Kar Wai's new movie 'In The Mood for Love' and thought I'd chime in with a brief no-spoilers review. I was lucky enough to attend a 'Special Premier' of the movie at London's Curzon Soho cinema at which the director and two stars were present (it took place last week, Oct. 24th). After waiting for an hour on the street outside with a bunch of excitable Tony Leung/Maggie Cheung fans, there was a mood of anticipation in the air. We saw Robbie Coltrane exit an earlier screening and chuckled as an oblivious young Wong Kar-Wai fan barged right past him. We saw Mike Figgis enter the cinema, although I was the only one who recognised him. Then, from out of nowhere, Tony and Maggie dashed through the crowds and into the cinema, followed closely by Anthony Minghella of all people. We went in too and took our seats in the packed theatre, half of which had been reserved for 'industry figures'. Wong Kar Wai took the mic first and said a few 'thank yous' to Chris Doyle and various production people. Maggie Cheung said how wonderful it was to be in London, and Tony just said he hoped we'd enjoy the film.
Both Tony and Maggie are idols in Hong Kong, but they are idolised in a sort of 'old Hollywood' kind of way: They just seem classier, and more stylish than your typical Hollywood star, and this wonderful movie with its perfect retro look will reinforce that image for me. The story is simply about two married couples living in a cramped apartment block in Sixties Hong Kong who discover their respective partners are having an affair and seek solace in each others company. The pace is not as fantic as 'Chungking Express' but that doesn't mean the film is any less accomplished. In fact it is better. Wong Kar Wai uses lingering slo-mo photography to build up the erotic tension between the two main characters as they begin to think the unthinkable, and fall in love. His use of music is, once again, perfectly judged. Both Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung are INCREDIBLE. The set design will leave you pining for 1960's wallpaper. The photography will reaffirm your belief that the art of film-making is still alive. All I can say is go see it.
My aicn ID is Solstiss.
