Friday, December 17, 2004
As far as I know, Wong Kar Wai’s latest film, 2046, doesn’t even have a scheduled US release date yet, however - it’s already been released in a fantastic all-region transfer (with English subs) from Mei Ah, which I’m very happy to have just watched. 2046 was pretty much my most anticipated release for the year, considering if I had to pick a favorite movie, I’d probably pick Wong Kar Wai’s last film, In the Mood For Love (which may have knocked his Chungking Express out of that most coveted spot). I’m not going to spoil it for ya, but if you liked those movies at least half as much as I did, you’ll definitely want to track down this DVD. 2046 to some extent has it’s own unique flavor, but it essentially picks up where In the Mood left off. Perhaps it’s somewhat slightly less lush, but it’s also less claustrophobic, and even has a few (welcome) flashes of humor. It's also a more complicated picture. Here, the focus is all on Tony Leung, moving through life somewhat empty now (after whispering his secrets away), drifting through a series of relationships - either without letting himself get too involved, or simply incapable of getting too involved. Again, the images, photography, editing, repetition, sets, costumes and actors all combine to create a truly perfect example of cinema as poetry. Another extremely mesmerizing two hours that comes very close to reaching the same heights as it's prequel.
