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probably one of the most difficult wong kar wai films i've seen. for several reasons.
one thing that'll make this film difficult for many people is the homosexuality. what ever you think of homosexuals, it will affect how you view the film. for me its a mixed lot. i actually like that wkw doesn't question the things that these two men do, but rather looks at their relationship with all its ups and downs. but when the main character stoops to the lows of his boyfriend's promiscuity, i personally wish he hadn't...its a bit difficult to love either of these guys. i guess wkw would want it that way...but i'd prefer someone who was lovable.
i'll put it this way: if you hate homosexuality you'll have a difficult time with the intimate scenes. they are no where near as raunchy as most sex scenes that happen in most movies. there is no nudity (more or less) in the film (the closest thing to nudity in the film doesn't involve sexual encounters). its the suggestion of what they are doing and the up close and personal feeling of it. if you don't mind this however, and truthfully there's not much of it, you'll still come across scenes which suggest casual anonymous public bathroom sex and sex acts in theaters, etc. its not love that it shows in these scenes and in these scenes its about the failures of a relationship through promiscuous activities. it doesn't outright say this, but it doesn't paint it in a positive light either. it displays this as something that does happen and probably isn't a good thing.
the addition of a 3rd guy is typical for a story but a strange aside. especially when he gives his 1st person narrative point of view. as at best a secondary character, this is an difficult shift for the main narrative.
ultimately this entire movie is about the hope of love and the failures that happen, but the memories that remain.
also difficult is the filming itself. actual film was used and its beautiful to see in all its grittiness. for some this is going to seem difficult. wkw cuts between black & white and color for seemingly no reason at all. theres nothing for me wrong with that. i like seeing both. some people will find this odd. also there is a great deal of the filming that lets the raw details come forward; weird exposure, wavy exposure, grain, scratches, somewhat tin like or roomful sound, hissing of the audio tracks, jumpy camera moments. all this is nothing like a hollywood film, its nothing like even a fair indy film, this is shear joy of the media. not the kind've hommage nostalgia that tarintino used in the grindhouse films...this is the real deal.
all in all i liked the movie a lot. its sad, a bit difficult, but worthy. its a unique film, and a unique story. this is the kind of movie you see because its good, not because its heavily advertised and prommoted big budget fluff.
if you're a homophobic, steer clear...you won't make it passed the opening scene. watch titanic or some other dumbed down hollywood fluff instead.
9/10
