Since I was a mom of an 8 year old and a full-time teacher in 2001, I didn’t see many independent films.
But a film savant suggested I see In the Mood for Love, so I took the leap.
I watched the Alternate Version on Criterion which after researching found that the difference is the alternate aka original had more magenta color infused as opposed to the second version which had more green. From the reddit opinions, green allegedly adds more nostalgia. I’d have to see for myself, perhaps some day.
The last paragraph is probably meaningless since the film is an absolute work of art. I make connections with current items I’m watching and have to believe that Benny Safdie and Nathan Fielder (in their new show called The Curse on HULU) must have been influenced by directors like Mood’s writer/director Kar-Wai Wong, since their shot style through doorways and windows, gives the same eavesdrop-style feel. Even this year’s Past Lives, employs similar shots of rain puddle reflections, and street lit rain sheets. But I digress, Kar-Wai’s gorgeous long shots of narrow hallways, staircases and doorways help bring the intimacy of the couple who meet as neighbors.
Much like the aforementioned Past Lives, longing is the choice made by the loyal marrieds (though in Past Lives, the male half’s not married). I’ve never seen a film like In the Mood for Love though which leans in so much to parallel yearning as this one does. Like having a knife stuck in you and then twisted is a badge of honor for some, and culturally, is at the very least, a common Asian stereotype. But Americans often dig the unrequited love motif as well.
Like a jazz record, the space between the notes counts more in this film than the plot and I’m fine with that, especially when serenaded by Michael Gallaso’s haunting string based score mixed with Nat King Cole’s melancholic ballads and sprinkled with Spanish seductive tunes.
An interesting trivia note, the film was originally titled “Secrets”, but Cannes Film Festival asked Kar-Wai to change it. He chose a line from Roxy Music’s Bryan Ferry and the rest is history.
The main characters, played brilliantly by Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung Chiu Wait, were definitely in the mood for love, but like a frustratingly broken Tilt-a-Whirl ride, could never get the saucer to rotate into a spin. Hence if the title were a question, the answer would be ‘but never in sync’. If we have to suffer with the characters, In the Mood for Love is a gorgeous way to go.
