February 5, 2017

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!


11 comments:

  1. This has been on my must-watch list since it came out, thanks for the reminder!! I have watched one bad modern film too far lately and need to watch something redeeming. X

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    1. I hope you like it! I already want to r-ewatch it <3

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  2. This is on my to-watch list too! I loved Tony Leung in Lust, Caution, which was beautifully directed by the incredibly talented Ang Lee. If you haven't seen it, I'd highly recommend it. And for stunning colour cinematography I'd highly recommend House of Flying Daggers, which is my absolute favourite film for visuals. It is incredibly beautiful! xx

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    1. I am already quite a fan of Tony Leung, great actor, but also just very attractive ha ha I haven't watched House of Flying Daggers yet but I mean to soon! I did just watch Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon and also Hero which were both beautiful! If you haven't seen Hero (with Jet Li) it was a visual feast, gorgeous use of of color in a very specific way.

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  3. If you're interested in Chinese movies I would highly recommend Zhang Yimou movies, such as: Raise the red lanterns, hero, flowers of war, Curse of the golden flower. Also, Korea has some amazing movies as well! ^^

    Thanks for reminding me of the in the mood for love, it's on my watch list for a long time now, I seriously should watch it ^^

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    1. I am definitely interested so I will have to check out those titles! Thanks for the recommendations :)

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  4. I haven't seen it, but you make it sound really appealing, for the cheongsams alone.

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    1. Press play for the fashion, stay watching for the amazing use of color, framing, music, and acting <3

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  5. Great film! I love it! Hier some Titles that I can highly recommend too:
    The Piano (one of the best film ever)
    Lust, Caution
    The Horseman on the roof (a French film with the Juliette Binoche)
    The Widow of Saint-Pierre
    Three Colours Trilogy from Kieślowski
    Jane Eyre with Mia Wassikowska
    The Barber of Siberia
    Barbara und Phoenix (both from director Christian Petzold)

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    1. Thank you Lily! Of your list I have only seen Jane Ere, so I will add these to my watch list!

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  6. Sounds good and definitely looks fabulous. Will add it to the watch list.

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