A relic from the 90’s, Chungking Express is a film directed by Wong Kar Wai. Spilt into two different stories that are both equally different, Wong’s tales can be quite unsatisfactory because of its focus on two stories instead of one. In my opinion, there isn’t much of an ending to each story but only a transition into the next.
In the first story, Takeshi Kaneshiro stars as a cop obsessed with his breakup with a woman named May, and his encounter with a mysterious drug smuggler (Brigitte Lin). It was evident that the mystery woman was involved in drug trafficking, a lifestyle that Wong emphasizes with tensed chase sequences in saturated colours.
The second story on the other hand focused on themes of solitude and human longing. Starring Tony Leung as a police officer, he is roused from his gloom over the loss of his girlfriend (Valerie Chow) by the attentions of a quirky snack bar worker (Faye Wong).
Chungking Express however, has spectacular lines that brings its two lonely characters to life with phrases that touch your heart. One tells how a girl who wished him a happy birthday will live eternally in his recollections, only to wonder when a memory will expire. Lines like these transcend faults in the picture, transforming it into a genuine feeling.
Both pieces depict a sense of being detached and lonely in the huge city of Hongkong, and were shot primarily with a hand-held camera, creating a visually bizarre ambience. A thoroughly melancholy and moving experience, Chungking Express makes viewers view loneliness in a very human way that will probably break your heart.
A spiritual success to Chungking Express, Fallen Angels is supposed to be viewed right after Chungking Express. In fact, set in the same universe, Fallen Angels expanded on its predecessor’s atmosphere and visual style.
Using the same format as Chungking Express the movie is split into two separates yet connected stories. Due to its lack of character dialogue compared to the predecessor, it brings out interesting visuals instead.
The first tells the story of a contract killer who is trying to get out of the game and his agent who is infatuated with him. The second follows a chaotic and mute man, who was the policeman in Chungking Express, who falls in love with a woman called Charlie whom he keeps running into. Both movies are highly recommended to be viewed one after the other.
If you are interested in Eastern Asian films or has an appreciation for cinematic shots do check out Chungking Express and Fallen Angels.
This article was brought to you by Han. I pretend to be broke in order to stay wealthy, yet I’m not wealthy.
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