'

In the Mood for Love

Play trailer

In the Mood for Love

PG

Released Mar 9, 2001

1h 37m

Romance

Drama

Play Trailer

Watchlist

Watchlist

Tomatometer

Popcornmeter

92%

Tomatometer

190 Reviews

94%

Popcornmeter

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.

Watch on Fandango at Home

Buy Now

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.

Read Critics Reviews

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

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

Full Review

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

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

Read all reviews

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

Full Review

Maryam M

When you feel like movies are no longer pieces of art , you should watch in the mood for love , the colour palettes , sensual aura and expressionistic shots convey beauty and sorrow at each scene accompanied by a tearing violin melody that quickly becomes unforgettable.

Rated 4.5 out of 5 stars

05/21/25

Full Review

felipe l

It's perfect. A story full of sensitivity, music that makes your skin crawl, a cinematic masterpiece.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

04/17/25

Full Review

Tom F

A brutally honest love story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

Full Review

Leprechaun K

One of Wong Kar Wai's best. A Top 10 for sure, and will forever remain there. There will never be another movie as beautiful as this.

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

02/23/25

Full Review

Audience Member

Absolute cinematic eye candy! Wong Kar Wai's "In the Mood for Love" will have the audience sinking in their seats and their focus balancing on the edge of a cliff. With two powerhouse leads softly and gently delivering betrayal and the heartbreak of what should have been, this work in cinema will shatter all those who watch it.

Rated 4 out of 5 stars

02/18/25

Full Review

Read all reviews

Read More

Read Less

POST RATING

WRITE A REVIEW

EDIT REVIEW

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

View more photos

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): $2.7M
Runtime: 1h 37m
Sound Mix: Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio: Flat (1.66:1)

Most Popular at Home Now