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In the Mood for Love

Play trailer Poster for In the Mood for Love PG Released Mar 9, 2001 1h 37m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
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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.
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In the Mood for Love

In the Mood for Love

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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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Critics Reviews

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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 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

Audience Reviews

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Spencer Nielsen In the Mood for Love is overwhelming. All aspects of its production come together in harmony to craft an aesthetic you can practically feel. Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/18/24 Full Review Katia K I spoke a secret the day after watching this movie. In doing so I’d opened up the door for the butterflies I’d held on to. They’re gone now and I miss the feeling Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/12/24 Full Review Martona T It's a visual spectacle, built up by fractions of spaces, silhouettes and situations. They strike with their beauty and add up to a complete story about feelings that are not allowed, but are inevitable. It is a sequence of impressions that lead the spectator very slowly through the fragments of everything that constitutes the two main characters'. Rated 4 out of 5 stars 11/10/24 Full Review Fer S It is good and the cinematography is beautiful, but it can be SO slow. People who are very fond of romance probably love it. Rated 3 out of 5 stars 11/06/24 Full Review Audience Member This movie is very dark and uplifting all at once. Having said that, it isn’t everyone’s cup of tea because it is slow and one needs to grasp the aesthetic of the moods attached to what you see. Definitely a beautiful movie but if you just got your heart broken don’t watch it Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/15/24 Full Review Sean S Has a tiffin of noodles ever looked sexier? If it’s possible for there to be a love Hexagon then it’s here; between Maggie Cheung, Tony Leung, Christopher Doyle, Shigeru Umebayashi, William Chang and Wong Kar-Wai there is an undeniable propulsive energy and synergy. So it’s ten minutes too long but I’d still give it six stars out of five if I could. An aching, achingly beautiful and evocative iconic love story that manages to say so much in every frame without needing to say much at all. There’s politics, art, class and ethics woven between the fabric between these tremendously raw characters. Has a man smoking a cigarette ever looked sexier? Rated 5 out of 5 stars 09/05/24 Full Review Read all reviews
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Cast & Crew

Movie Info

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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