2046
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Movie Reviews of 2046
Movie Review: Amazing looking, somewhat random film
Summary: 4 Stars
I'd been wanting to see this one since I saw the super-cool trailer for it well over a year ago, and after missing it at the local arthouse theatre, I was glad to finally see it on DVD. Although I haven't seen all of Won Kar Wai's films, I knew that 2046 would be sumptuous to look at, but hoped that it would steer clear of some more of his vague tendencies.
That's not to say that I mind non-linear storytelling in films, because I really do if it's done well. 2046 had a fascinating concept in that it pulled together both a period piece (the late 60s) about a journalist and writer while at the same time blending in futuristic subplots (based around the writing of the aforementioned character). I was correct to expect that the film would be a feast, and it seems that all the stops are pulled out on this film, with just about every shot oozing with gorgeous color, awesome framing, and other little tricks that pull the viewer in.
That said, the film is frustrating at times, in more ways than one. Although it makes for some beautiful visuals, the futuristic elements of the story never feel like they quite mesh with the rest of the story, and while there are some interesting plays on time elapsing, the film is also broken up with overl pretentious chapter-headings like "All Memories Are Traces Of Tears." In addition, the film makes vague references to cultural events taking place in the region at the time, but never really delves into them. That's a small nitpick, but since it doesn't seem to affect the characters at all in their insular little world, it feels a bit distracting to even bring them up.
Now that I've mentioned what annoyed me, I will say that the acting was uniformly outstanding. Lead man Tony Leung was great as a character that exudes smoothness in an attempt to cover his hollow emotional core, while Zhang Ziyi gave what might be her most varied performance yet (from playful to cold to emotionally shattered).
The structure (or lack thereof) will turn off a lot of viewers, but when the film really gets down to business, it's quite good. In that regard, it should probably be more frustrating to me (especially given the less-than-sympathetic main character), but I still mostly enjoyed it and had my jaw dropped by the lavish visuals for a good portion of the film (which may indeed be why I was willing to overlook some of the less-cogent sections).
Movie Review: More Than A Room
Summary: 4 Stars
I too had some problems finishing 2046 like the reviewer below me but I was glad to push myself through the end. I may know why some people may have a problem with this film and it's because this film is the third release of the Wong Kar-Wai trilogy. Days of Being Wild and In the Mood for Love are the first two films and from the little bit of In the Mood For Love I got to see 2046 is in the same style though it is said that 2046 is a lose sequel. The first two films may have things that need to be know before anyone can watch this one. I believe the first time trying to watch 2046 many may have a problem finishing it but after a little break and processing everything going on in it you'll come to greatly appreciate it. Not only will people respect it for it's beautiful backgrounds and vibrant colors but for it's well thought out story and characters.
2046 is the number of the hotel room in In The Mood For Love and it is the same in this film but Chow played by Tony leung does not stay in the room. The room now belongs to a few of the women he likes to keep close among other things. Chow is the same character that he was in In The Mood For Love, he is a journalist documenting a war but he starts writing the story 2046. His story is where the science fiction comes in, it's about a train that goes to a place named 2046 and it's filled with androids and stuff. I think this was a problem because the first time you see the film it goes right into Chow's fictional story and it never lets you know. So if your not paying full attention you'll lose the story and begin to think that Zhang Ziyi is really an android.
Americans may also find a problem with the fast subtitles, which will take more attention. There aren't many flaws in 2046 but I would recommend to anyone thinking about watching this film to watch the first two films first. I love the picture the most in 2046 and the slick words that are exchanged between Leung and his leading ladies. The film shows Leung as sort of a womanizer but at the same time it give the females power as well but I do like the little story that occurs between he and Ziyi's characters. The acting is great and story as well and I can't wait to rewind and watch the rest of the first two films.
Movie Review: Can androids ever really love?
Summary: 4 Stars
2046 is a marvellous about love and the feelings that remain even when love is gone. But within this we have the dealings of what 2046 which is a novel being written. While the focus is of love within that novel, we are set in this hyper-futuristic tale that characters travel to the future to regain lost memories.
It's a story that is fascinating both inside and outside of the novel that is being made. One that shows that people as a whole, don't like change. They have problems with moving on and perhaps in their hearts have always lost the ones they really loved. And as is the way with things, people try to get along with their lives whether they fully realize this or not. In a sense they want to go back to how things were before because they might want to recapture that spark the relationship once had or recapture the youth they once had as they feel themselves getting older and closer to their inevitable demise.
But before I make this sound like it's one of those depressing love stories to rival the likes of Verhoeven's adaptation of Jan Wolkers' Turkish Delight, I should tell them to relax, it's not like that at all. It has it's bittersweet melancholy but the tone is more wistful, than the overbearing suffocation of Turkish Delight. In locating it in Hong Kong of the 1960s, it shows that Hong Kong was still a thing of beauty and still ahead of it's time. In many respects, it's architecture is something some of the developed countries still aspire to and have been playing catch up ever since.
But it's the scenes of the future, or the future imagined for the novel that's been written which really captivates the eye. The colours, the textures make this film glorious viewing for the viewer. I can't even begin to describe, how intricate and how colourful it really looks.....I'd almost say it takes on a life of it's own. To call it spectacular is to do it an injustice - it's so much more than that!
All the actor's play their part extremely well in this gorgeous movie. Really, there can't be too much more said about such a beautiful movie. Watch and enjoy!
Movie Review: Considering 2046?
Summary: 4 Stars
Here's what you might want to know:
Visuals: With Wong Kar Wai, always start with the visuals. Here's another collaboration with cinematographer Christopher Doyle that has resulted in a film of stunning visual beauty. Rich colors (unlike Hollywood productions) - striking compositions - all in service of the drama.
Story: This story of a Hong Kong playboy and the unfortunate women who are drawn to him is very bleak and fatalistic. The pacing of this move is slow, typical with Wong Kar Wai. Atypically, this one relies heavily on flashbacks to complete the story. Plus, there is a fantasy sub-story (the main character is writing a scifi story) which I found of no value to the main part of the movie.
Characterization: Some characters aren't well-developed, and their inclusion in the fantasy part doesn't add anything. Faye Wong mostly mopes around while looking very pretty. Gong Li looked glamourous but offered little beyond pessimism and mystery.
Acting: Some roles in this movie are flimsy and not the actors' fault. My favorite performance belongs to Zhang Ziyi. Her's happens to be the best written and most sympathetic role in the film. But that lovely & lively sprite of an actress added facets and power. Mustachioed Tony Leung perfectly personifies the confident and uncaring ladies man.
Music: Like Stanley Kubrick, this film is full of scenes where the music is as important as any character. Funnily, it's almost all Western music altho it is set in Hong Kong. Some Classical, some Nat King Cole, some Xavier Cugat.
Note: This movie is actually a recycling of two of his previous films: DAYS OF BEING WILD and IN THE MOOD FOR LOVE. Their stories are more straighforward than this one's. You might consider a more daring film as far as story structure. And Wong Kar Wai's technique shows more polish here.
Movie Review: Passion & Depth
Summary: 4 Stars
Wong Kar-Wai's films center on human relationships, rather than the action films of many other Hong Kong directors. He won a Best Director award from Cannes for "Happy Together." "2046" is a good film to see some of China's most beautiful actresses. Gong Li plays the Black Spider and fills each screen moment with passion and depth. She played in "Zhou Yu's Train" and recently was the jealous geisha in "Memoirs of a Geisha." It will be interesting to see her in the American "Miami Vice" movie. Tony Leung's character Chow Mo Wan is apparently in love with her, but director Wong Kar-Wai spends a limited amount of screentime with the relationship. As Bai Ling, the prostitute who lives in room 2046, Zhang Ziyi who starred in "Memoirs of a Geisha" is one of cinema's most beautiful stars. Her performance here is stellar as she teases, taunts, and craves Leung. Faye Wong plays the hotel owner's daughter Wang Jingwen who pines for a Japanese lover that her father will not accept. She becomes writer Chow Mo Wan's right hand. The film splinters somewhat as the writer played by Leung constructs a story about a futuristic city where people go to find pleasure and from which they never return. Takuya Kimura plays the Japanese guy that tries to coax romance from android robots on the train to 2046. The cinematography in the film is exquisite, as each shot seems like the set up of a painting. The theme of the picture is open ended, being much more an exploration of modern relationships than the telling of a romantic story. Leung doesn't seem to ever find true love; and the fact that he's often not a very nice guy seems to predict the outcome. After watching the film, I felt more as if I had had a cinematic experience rather than I had watched a coherent story. Maybe life is like that sometimes. Enjoy!