Get lost in Hong Kong (Chungking Express (DVD))

Member Name: MysteriousCats

Product:	Chungking Express (DVD)
Date:	28/05/09 (17 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Beatiful photography, lovely characters

Disadvantages: You will want to see more Wong Kar-Wai films

Chungking Express is the film that introduced me to the work and world of director Wong Kar-Wai and since then I am a devoted fan to his films.

Chungking Express tells two different stories, having Honk Kong as background, which are just slightly connected by the location where the characters mingle, the Chungking Express cafe (therefore the name of the film) and also because both stories follow broken-heart cops.

In fact, I think that is one of the messages of this film: that everyone is connected somehow.

The cast of well known Chinese actors, like Tony Leung Chiu-Wai (In the Mood for love, Hero, "Lust, Caution"), is absolutely brilliant.
The chemistry between the characters is perfect and they are all so involving and likable.

The first story is about cop 223 who just has been dumped by his girlfriend Mai. He is completely heart broken and can not understand why she did so. He tries dealing with his emotions, getting over it and while doing so he meets a mysterious woman.
There are some really funny moments in this story and Takeshi Kaneshiro (cop 223) does a great job.

The second story is about cop 663 who is dating a flight attendant but she suddenly leaves him and he is heart broken.
His sadness is so great that he does not notice things changing around him or the special attention given by the Chungking Express girl.
Will he ever notice her?

The photography in this film is so beautiful and unusual. Thanks to the wonderful work of Christopher Doyle.

Last but not least, the soundtrack is very catchy with The Mamas and the Papa's "California Dreaming" and a Chinese version of Cranberries' "Dreams" by Faye Wong.

Also if you like this film, you should watch "Fallen Angels". It seems that those two films were supposed to be one but as they got too long they decided to make two.

Summary: A must-see film!