In the Mood for Love

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In the Mood for Love

PG

Released Mar 9, 2001

1h 37m

Romance

Drama

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92%

Tomatometer

191 Reviews

94%

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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

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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

Jared Mobarak

Hey, Have You Seen ...?

There’s a difference between being duty-bound to another and being bewitched by them. There’s also a difference between preserving the potential of love at its height and acting on it to discover its decline. There’s magic in the uncertainty of maybe.

Rated: 10/10

Jul 11, 2025

Full Review

Laney Gibbons

Loud and Clear Reviews

This cinematic achievement, which leaves a lasting effect on the spirit, reminds us of the tremendous depths of the human heart and the persistent appeal of what might have been.

Rated: 4/5

Aug 3, 2024

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Alan Jones

Radio Times

Sumptuously shot in tight corners, cramped corridors and tiny alleyways for maximum intimacy, the unspoken longing of the star-crossed lovers is both palpable and poignant, though the rushed ending somewhat undercuts the glorious build-up.

Rated: 5/5

Jul 31, 2024

Full Review

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Osmin B

Breathtakingly beautiful.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/13/25

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Michael

Deservedly called a masterpiece. Read the New Yorker review from 2023 which says it all.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

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T W

Rapturous, beautiful, haunting, and heart breaking. I could watch this a thousand times

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

07/06/25

Full Review

Spencer Nielsen

My favorite movie. A film whose aesthetic qualities are so intoxicating, it is the purpose of the narrative.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

01/19/25

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Tim S

Based in the early 1960's "In the mood for Love" is director Wong Kar-Wai's beautiful stylised love story. Starring Tony Leung as married local newspaper editor Chow Mo-Wan and Maggie Cheung as his married neighbour Su Li-Zhen. After discovering their respective spouses are having an affair, Su Li-Zhen and Chow Mo-Wan spend more time together discussing how to approach the issue and trying to identify what led their spouses to betray them. However the more time they spend together the closer they become leading to an affair of their own. With stolen moments, secret meetings and quickly grabbed restaurant meals, their secret liaisons become more stressful as other neighbours begin to take notice of the couple. The way “In The Mood For Love” is beautifully shot, with strong vibrant colours contrasting with the dark dingy world of 1960's Hong Kong along with a cool soundtrack that includes Nat King Cole, the movie just oozes style. The beauty of Su Lai-Zhen as she walks mystically through alley ways and red flowing corridors coupled with a mesmerising performance from Tony Leung bring this tender love story to life. "In The Mood For Love" is certainly Wong Kar-Wai's masterpiece. Well recommended.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/06/25

Full Review

Justin M

The 25th anniversary of Kar-Wai Wong’s masterpiece introduced this stunning film to a new generation of moviegoers. Set in 1960s Hong Kong, it follows two neighbors who find out their spouses are having an affair with each other. They form a powerful bond themselves, but remain committed to being better than their unfaithful partners, allowing themselves instead to build a heart-wrenching friendship that eventually proves too much for them in the end. A captivating story of right place-wrong time, masterfully crafted and delivered. The music, scenery, cinematography, and tension probably elevate this to a Top 50 film of the century so far.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

08/02/25

Full Review

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Kar-Wai Wong

Director

Maggie Cheung

Su Li-zhen

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Chow Mo-wan

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: Paradis Film, Jet Tone Productions, Block 2 Pictures
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): $689.3K
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

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