Chungking Express (1994)
I asked on Reddit for recommendations to believable romantic movies and Wong-Kar-Wai films seemed well regarded.
Overall this was a movie experience that evoked many conflicting and different reactions for me. I still somewhat struggle with this non-traditional type of story telling - or lack thereof because there is not a straight narrative here. I am slowly adapting and being won over what this type of movie can do. For once, a very different and most more interesting depiction of people falling in (and out) of love compared to most Hollywood movies that often goes for the “love at first sight”-trope and they get eachother in the end. Here we see all the conflicting and unlogical emotions people go through in their longing for companionship. And when it is within reach, they change their minds.
I don’t actually have any personal experience with a romantic breakup since I have been in the same relationship for over 20 years, but I think this movie made me understand how that is way better than any other movie. How the first guy was trying to fill the void with jogging and pineapple was really profound. He is just desperately grasping at everything, like trying to call up someone he went to fourth grade with. All that was needed to make him happy again was a simple happy birthday greeting from a woman.
The second story gives another perspective of a breakup and the forming of a new romance in a very unique way. The cop has difficulty accepting his old relationship is over and Faye is clearly in a sort of euphoria state of mind being smitten by the same cop. However she is not ready to actually be with him when she gets the chance. At first this annoyed me, because the characters didn’t act rationally or logically. But I guess real love is not that either. I am used to movies where two people fall in love with eachother, but this movie was more about people falling in love with the idea of companionship and not necessarily the actual other person.
The performances are top notch and very natural and believable across the board. The restaurant owner working as a sort of matchmaker was great in his quirky comedic role. Faye was just stunning capturing that young falling in love experience. And extra credit for stewardess who gave a very convincing performance of being very much into the cop in the scenes showing them together in his apartment.
While I did enjoy parts of the cinematography, the step printing was well done, there was also a bit too much handheld camera work for my taste. It is not usually something that bothers me, but the first part of the movie had moments where I found the queasy camera work to be distracting and almost nauseating. There are also still elements I am not quite sure what to make of. Like the whole drug violence part didn’t really add much meaning to the first guys story.
Looking forward to watching other Wong-Kar-Wai movies!
Rating: 4