Sunday Spotlight: In the Mood for Love

I have discovered something recently, I don't just casually enjoy movies, I really love film. In discovering such I have fallen down the rabbit hole of YouTube videos about film making and how movement, music, blocking, writing, color, and more are used to make the audience feel. In doing so I have added several films to my must watch list, and as I haven't seen many of the classics or game-changing films often highlighted, I have a very long list indeed. One of the films mentioned as possibly having the best use of color in film was In the Mood for Love. Seeing as I already realized how much I was missing by having not seen any of the gorgeous films coming out of Hong Kong, I went and watched In the Mood for Love right away. 

Director Wong Kar-Wai creates a mood indeed, with languid shots, even occasionally slowed down so you can feel each moment, no matter how objectively mundane, linger on. Mr Chow (Tony Leung) and Mrs Chan (Maggie Cheung) are neighbors stuck in quite the unfortunate predicament, both of their spouses are seeing someone else, and they are both hauntingly lonely. The use of color in this film is indeed strikingly beautiful, as are the compositions created on screen and the music used. The actors do a wonderful job and I am so happy to be introduced to them as I plan on watching a lot of films from Hong Kong soon. I really don't want to say much about the plot, though there is little I could "spoil" in the traditional sense. Just know you should totally watch this film!

And the costumes? It's 1962 and Maggie Cheung wears over 20 amazing cheongsam/qipao dresses. The fabrics and prints are beautiful ranging from playful colorful 60s florals to moody iridescent shot silk taffeta. Any fashion lover will be in visual overload, such stunning clothes! They never take away from the story of course, Mrs Chan's style is just inherent in her character.

Have you seen In the Mood for Love? Do you have any similar films to recommend to me? Let me know!