
Are you still in the mood for love?
Women enter and exit a science fiction author's life over the course of a few years after the author loses the woman he considers his one true love.
7.2
1051 reviewsRuntime: 128 min.
Budget: $12,000,000
Revenue: $20,205,757
Release Date: 2004-10-20
Director(s): Wong Kar-Wai
Production: Shanghai Film Group, Orly Films, Paradis Films, Classic Productions, Precious Yield, Jet Tone Production
Languages: Cantonese, Mandarin, Japanese, English
IMDB: tt0212712
Where to Watch
Data from JustWatch
Collection: In the Mood for Love Collection
Another classic effort from Wong Kar-wai, this time with a touch of sci-fi added to his usually potent mix of romance and strong characters. Tony Leung reprises his role from "In the Mood for Love" (2000) as "Chow mo-wan" who has now returned to Hong Kong to write his book - about a land called "2046". As he writes, he forms relationships of varying degrees of importance with four women but the more he tries to forget his past, the harder it is for him to move on, to escape from the memories of his now late wife. Is that the goal of "2046" - memories never die, never exist - time stands still? Leung handles this emotional tsunami of a film with aplomb, and as usual, there is a wonderfully eclectic soundtrack to keep the sense of confusion working nicely, too. Maybe a touch too long - but still an absorbing piece of cinema from a man who can juggle concepts and characterisations with some considerable skill.
_2046_ is a visual treat, embodying Wong Kar-wai’s trademark dreamlike style. However, it falls short in delivering the emotional impact of In the Mood for Love. Tony Leung's performance is a standout, but the fragmented narrative and slow pacing create a sense of detachment. The film's exploration of love and memory is intriguing, but it tends to dwell too much on melancholy, losing some of the elegance that defined its predecessor. Despite its unevenness, _2046_ leaves a lasting impression, not quite reaching its full potential.