In the Mood for Love

PG

Released Mar 9, 2001

1h 37m

Romance

Drama

List

92%

Tomatometer

189 Reviews

94%

Audience Score

50,000+ Ratings

In 1962, journalist Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and his wife move into a Hong Kong apartment, but Chow's spouse is often away on business. Before long, the lonely Chow makes the acquaintance of the alluring Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk), whose own significant other also seems preoccupied with work. As the two friends realize their respective partners are cheating on them, they begin to fall for one another; however, neither wants to stoop to the level of the unfaithful spouses.

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Critics Consensus

An exquisitely shot showcase for Maggie Cheung and Tony Leung that marks a somber evolution of Wong Kar-wai's chic style, In the Mood for Love is a tantric tease that's liable to break your heart.

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Elvis Mitchell

New York Times

In the Mood for Love is probably the most breathtakingly gorgeous film of the year, dizzy with a nose-against-the-glass romantic spirit that has been missing from the cinema forever.

Jul 17, 2023

Full Review

Joe Morgenstern

Wall Street Journal

In the Mood for Love excites us with words not spoken, passions not played out. A mood story more than a love story, it's all about sustaining a state of exquisite melancholy in the face of desire.

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

Peter Bradshaw

Guardian

If it is possible to find the erotic register of despair, or the romantic dimension of ennui, then Wong Kar-wai certainly achieves it in his new film.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 15, 2023

Full Review

Joshua Polanski

Boston Hassle

The heterodox style collapses time on itself—prolonging the marital collapses of the two couples and expanding the potential for a union between [the two main characters].

Jul 9, 2024

Full Review

Cole Smithey

ColeSmithey.com

The film's indisputable beauty radiates with a burning glow that emanates from its charismatic lead actors. "In The Mood For Love" was an instant classic when it premiered at Cannes in 2000. It remains Wong Kar Wai's finest cinematic achievement.

Rated: FIVE STARS

Jul 1, 2024

Full Review

Rene Jordan

El Nuevo Herald (Miami)

Maggie and Tony live in illusion, painfully prolonged out of fear of dying from disappointment. [Full review in Spanish]

Jul 17, 2023

Full Review

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Liam R

Wasn't sure exactly how I would feel about this movie when purchasing but it was absolutely fantastic. If you are okay with watching with subtitles then you are in for an absolute treat! Visually beautiful cinematography, great acting and chemistry between the main leads definitely a must watch you will not be disappointed.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/23/24

Full Review

Christian K

Gorgeous, and some the best cinematography and music in filmmaking. Fills you only with loneliness and regret, though, which aren't always exclusively bad feelings.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

07/16/24

Full Review

Robert Z

If Truffaut were Chinese, this is the film he'd make.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/29/24

Full Review

Руслан Г

яке щастя,що я став цьому свідком і мав нагоду подивитися цей шедевр. Я попередньо бачив третій фільм з трилогій- лишилося подивитися перший. Це неймовірний досвід. Низький уклін усім , хто причетний до цього феномену. Дякую. Браво!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/24/24

Full Review

Hargie M

a masterpiece of cinematic poetry that speaks to the very essence of what it means to love and be loved. It's a testament to the power of storytelling to evoke emotions that defy rational explanation, leaving an indelible imprint on the tapestry of my soul. And as I bask in its luminous glow, I am reminded once again of the enduring power of love to transcend the constraints of time and space, forever etching its mark upon the fabric of existence.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

05/05/24

Full Review

Christopher H

Restraint and resistance have never been captured so beautifully on film. The stolen glances and slight brushes of hand - what isn't said speaks the loudest. Gut-wrenching at a time when 1960s social mores forced an ideal that silence is golden. Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung and Wong Kar-wai - a definitive triumvirate, shine as seen through the lens of Christopher Doyle's masterful cinematography.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

05/01/24

Full Review

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Kar-Wai Wong

Director

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Chow Mo-wan

Maggie Cheung

Su Li-zhen

Kelly Lai Chen

Mr. Ho

Rebecca Pan

Mrs. Suen

Ping Lam Siu

Ah Ping

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Synopsis

In 1962, journalist Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu Wai) and his wife move into a Hong Kong apartment, but Chow's spouse is often away on business. Before long, the lonely Chow makes the acquaintance of the alluring Su Li-zhen (Maggie Cheung Man-yuk), whose own significant other also seems preoccupied with work. As the two friends realize their respective partners are cheating on them, they begin to fall for one another; however, neither wants to stoop to the level of the unfaithful spouses.

Director: Kar-Wai Wong
Producer: William Chang
Screenwriter: Kar-Wai Wong
Distributor: USA Films
Production Co: Block 2 Pictures, Paradis Film, Jet Tone Productions
Rating: PG (Thematic Elements|Brief Language)
Genre: Romance, Drama
Original Language: Chinese
Release Date (Theaters): Mar 9, 2001, Wide
Release Date (Streaming): Oct 15, 2020
Box Office (Gross USA): $2.7M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

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