2046

[Foxbat]

Directed by Wong Kar Wai

Starring Tony Leung, Zhang Ziyi, Faye Wong,
Gong Li


Set in Hong Kong in the late 60s and against a backdrop of the Hong Kong riots, Chow Mo Wan (Leung) is an out of work journalist writing pulp fiction for a living. In his dingy hotel room, he manufactures his stories and scrapes out a living for himself. Emotionally bruised and world weary, he sets out on a playboy lifestyle of gambling and one night stands. He develops a passion for a call girl (Ziyi) but lives a life of zero commitment and soon moves on to his next conquest – the hotel manager’s daughter(Wong) and then a professional gambler (Li).


During this time, he embarks on a Science Fiction novel called 2046 – a mysterious train that people travel on in an attempt to reclaim their lost memories - and the core of this film begins to flit between the real and imagined – and in so doing, reflects the many facets of love and the force of memory. In essence, this film is, ultimately, about secrets of the heart.


The movie is a collection of sumptuous scenes and textures – from the colourful, hi-tech future of 2046 to the dingy paintwork on the walls of the hotel. The bridge between these two worlds is provided by a soundtrack, which evokes the art of perfect timing - with just the right mood visually and musically - providing a well-planned synchronicity - and is dominated by the rich strains of Maria Callas and her enigmatic rendition of Casta Diva.


The DVD itself shows a fine transfer. There are moments where scenes are bathed in a rich red light and show no signs of overbleed. The soundtrack can be chosen from the menu which provides 5.1, Stereo or DTS. Only subtitling is available with no sound overdubbing in English. Personally, I don’t think this is a bad thing but it all depends on individual taste.


Not one for the action fans, this is a movie to ponder and to watch more than once. I keep getting the feeling that there's much more here than I am picking up. Fine acting, fine direction, a wonderful arena of music and texture. I liked it!

[I, Brian]

Good to see it reviewed.

[nemogbr]

Thanks for the review.

I have the DVD, but haven't had the time to watch the film.

One more thing I need to find out is; would you recommend it as a date movie?

[ravenus]

Would depend how you define a date movie. This sounds like one where you have to actually pay attention to what's hapening in the film...I prefer to watch such movies all alone.