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

190 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

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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

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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

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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

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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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Stephen C

A successful movie in 1 hour and 37 minutes!!!!!!!!! Rated PG for Thematic Elements and Brief Language!!!!!! In Chinese (Mandarin) and English versions with English subtitles!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Rated 5 out of 5 stars

06/09/25

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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

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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

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Tom F

A brutally honest love story.

Rated 3.5 out of 5 stars

03/21/25

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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

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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: 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)

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