In the mood for 2046?

Ever watch a movie that has cinematography that's so beautiful that you are kind of left wishing you could make out with your TV?

Apparently that's how the movies of Wong Kar Wai leave me feeling. A couple of weeks ago, my wife and I watch the excellent In the Mood for Love, and last night we followed it up with the more recently released 2046.

2046



Both films are infused with gorgeous, considered colors and an attention to detail that makes you with you could put a frame around each scene and hang it on your wall. Cinematographer, Christopher Doyle, is a name I've heard before, but who's work I've seen very little of before (he's US output has been fairly limited). But, its interesting to see that he also was involved in the film Rabbit Proof Fence, a movie with striking, if my understated, visuals.

2046 is a sequel (of sorts) to In the Mood for Love, following up with Tony Leung's character, Chow, several years after the events in the first film. But, to be fair, the movies are divorced enough from each other that you really don't need to see one to enjoy the other.

While In the Mood for Love tells the story of a growing relationship between two neighbors after they discover that their spouses are having an affiar with each other; 2046 follows the male leads life beyond that point through a string of relationships, and while he writes a pair of Sci Fi novels that mirror his own experiences.

In the Mood for Love


Of the two, I probably enjoyed In the Mood for Love a little more because of its tighter focus and unique narrative. But, 2046's Sci-Fi subplots, excellent performances by the entire cast and (of course) wonderful cinematography made it an excellent follow up.

In the Mood for Love and 2046

We still have Chungking Express sitting on our DVD player at home, and I can't wait to check it out!

(And, don't worry honey, you won't actually walk in and catch me making out with the TV.)