cinemacl🎃wn’s review published on Letterboxd:
Elegantly crafted, mesmerisingly told & brilliantly performed, In the Mood for Love is a fascinating example of restrained craftsmanship that paints one of the most enchanting, alluring & powerfully evocative portraits of love & romance on the film canvas, and is further uplifted by its wonderfully detailed period setting, awe-inspiring photography & spot-on chemistry between its leads.
Set in 1960s Hong Kong, the story follows the lives of two neighbours, a man & woman who find solace in each other's company after suspecting that their spouses are cheating on them. A beautiful relationship blossoms between the two as they spend more time together and attempt to reenact how their partners' affair must have begun but decide to keep their bond platonic.
Written, produced & directed by Wong Kar-wai, the movie allows ample space for its characters to breathe and the bond that develops between the two isn't hurried either as Wong establishes their similar predicament first, while little details such as coincidental interactions & fleeting glances on a daily basis give their budding relationship a genuine touch & natural feel. Plus, their well-defined arcs only help the cause.
The 1960s Hong Kong setting is expertly brought to life by its detailed set pieces & wisely chosen shooting locations. Camera follows our characters around like a silent observer and is thoroughly focused on their activities, however, what stands out are the brief slow-mo vignettes of their lives which is accompanied by a recurring track that makes those particular sequences more memorable while enriching the overall experience.
Coming to the performances, In the Mood for Love is steered by compelling inputs from Maggie Cheung & Tony Leung, and the sensual chemistry between the two is the real highlight that makes their romance work so effectively. Both actors bring their A-game to the table and challenge each other to up their acts, while the emotional rush & sexual tension that's evident every time they are together makes their on-screen bond more authentic.
On an overall scale, In the Mood for Love is a teasing, tempting & transporting rendition of love, longing & loneliness that brims with irresistible charm and radiates endless warmth from start to finish. Presenting Wong Kar-wai in total control of his craft, photographed with an artistic eye, and strengthened by measured performances, it is a masterly composed love story that stumbles a little in its final act but its universal appeal & artistic approach is enough to catapult it into its genre's finest works. Definitely recommended.