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2046 [2005]


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An amazing film to go down in cinematic history
Review date: 2008-11-14 Rating: 8 out of 10

2046 is a film directed by the internationally renowned Wong Kar Wai. It loosely follows the prequels, Days Of Being Wild and In The Mood For Love. It first aired in 2004 and is based in Hong Kong (but is actually filmed in the fashion capital of China-Shanghai), and has an award-winning cast of Tony Leung Chiu-Wai, Zhang Ziyi, Maggie Cheung, Faye Wong, Carina Lau and other famous actors.

This beautiful art piece is a classic Hong Kong film and a complete success at the hands of ever-skilful Wong Kar Wai and his team. Wong Kar Wai was one of the first directors in Hong Kong who did not give the audience a straightforward story, but challenged the way the audience thought about people in one of his first films, Days Of Being Wild. 2046 runs along the same theme, with the characters playing out the story, as opposed to the other way round. Their interactions, responses to each other and emotions become the story itself. Wong Kar Wai is particularly good at this due to his attention to great detail. The wardrobe is beautiful and flawless-not one character looks drab or dirty. Wong Kar Wai makes us see the beguiling glamour that hides all the individual troubles of each character. Not only does he show this, but combined with the vintage everyday scenery, heavy smoking and drinking in suave, sophisticated restaurants, he shows a lifestyle of the bygone 1960s in Hong Kong , as influenced by the dream-like lifestyle of the Shanghainese. In addition, the ever-changing wardrobes of the characters show how temperamental fashion and lifestyle really is, a theme that relates to Wong Kar-Wai's thesis of one having to 'let go' of past losses and ever-changing life.

The music, an eclectic mix of old and Shigeru Umebayashi music. Wong Kar Wai repeats different pieces of sobering, almost dark music at different times, to reflect how the characters are lost in their own thoughts on a frequent basis, and often think about the same topics obsessively, in particular, Chow Mo-Wan's melancholy dreams of Su Li-Zhen.

Overall, 2046 is a beautiful film, that not only represents the deep emotions of normal people, but is also shows a wider perspective of the dreams that people have of having a beautiful, glamorous lifestyle in both Hong Kong and China.

If you enjoyed this film, I recommend watching "Days Of Being Wild" and "In The Mood For Love"-both are part of the "2046" trilogy.

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Reviews


2046 - Style without substance
Review date: 2008-08-01 Rating: 4 out of 10

When I first began the film, I felt instantly attracted to its cinematography and intrigued by its non-standard storytelling. The film isn't long but its pace makes it feel unending and after 2 hours of struggling to keep my eyes open, I've come to the conclusion that the intriguing story was ultimately a disinteresting one. The style was still there but the substance just wasn't substantial enough to support the pace, which is a shame.

Beautiful, emotional, and chaotic
Review date: 2008-05-27 Rating: 6 out of 10

This film seems very disjointed and at first you're not too sure if you're watching a futuristic sci-fi feature, or love story. Although the latter is more on-the-mark, this feeling of disorientation is key to the way the film strings along many individual moments to build up a small web of characters.

This is the third film in a series and many of the themes carry through. I've not seen the previous films, (they aren't strictly 'prequels') so I can't say if they would have added anything to the experience. The number 2046 carries the weight of significance throughout the film; Chow Mo-Wan, a womanising pulp fiction writer uses his life experiences to author a series of adult books, and to create a semi biographical story set in the year 2046. 2046 is the room number he used to conduct an affair many years ago, and is the room number he finds himself and his former lover in after a chance meeting. When Chow finds himself in room 2047, this symbolises him moving on, but he still frequents room 2046.

Chow becomes involved with several ladies, but most intriguing is his relationship with Bai Ling, the beautiful escort girl with whom a mutual agreement is made for them to satisfy their lust for each other. It becomes clear that Bai harbours more than just physical attraction for him and the relationship turns stale as Chow seems to enjoy making her jealous. His feeling towards women seems cold and you sympathise for Bai.

Another prolific relationship begins with a daughter of his landlord. She is a budding writer and a fan of his 2046 serial. They work together and a sequel 2047 begins.

The film seems to implode at moments and a tangible 25 minutes or so of scenes which run fluidly becomes a confused amalgamation of what has been, and what is yet to come. The imagery is striking, lots of slow scenes where you start to think if the image is paused. Evocative and keeping you on your toes to concentrate are the main features of this film. The re-union between Chow and Bai is the the moment where we see if Chow really has, or can, move on from his past.

In a nutshell: The film looks beautiful, and through insights into the private lives of the characters, and their history - they have depth. These two things make the film watchable, even if it does sometimes feel like it drags. I'd love to give this 4 stars (in terms of atmosphere and artistic direction this is a 5 star film) but I'm opting for three as I feel as though there was something lacking from not watching the previous film "In the Mood for love". However, I did enjoy the film and look forward to returning to it in the future.


Boring, Boring, Boring
Review date: 2008-04-26 Rating: 2 out of 10

Like someone else here rightly said, it's all style over substance. Unfortunately, some people here seem to have fallen for it. A reality check is needed and that is why I'm writing this review.

My view of a good movie is that it should evoke some kind of memorable emotion from the viewer, but the only emotion I got from this movie is sheer, unadulterated boredom. That's something I would rather forget.

The blame for this failure lies with the director. He does not seem to understand what true emotion is. He seems to think that carefully and strategically placing a tear on a woman's blank, expressionless face and then carefully filming it constitutes emotion. In my book, that is simply not good enough. I concede the director would make a fantastic photographer. By all means let him take your wedding snaps but don't let him direct a movie unless you want to be bored out of your skull.

2046 - No 2 - All time list 2008
Review date: 2008-03-31 Rating: 10 out of 10

2046 - I've given it a high accalaide - no 2 on an all time list, you'd expect it to be something out of the ordinary - for me anyway, it is.

Wong Kar-Wai a favourite of mine now after watching many a film over the past few years. I remember the first time watching 2046 and not overly liking the "sci-fi" parts - now I love them. They some up the sense which this films brings. Longing, impossible wanting for something out of reach and the emotion that it brings...

You have to watch 'In The Mood for Love' before this film to fully understand this film, you have to fully understand the thoughts of Tony Leungs characters, or you could just get lost in what he seems to be doing to the female characters and by how much he has changed.
I try not to actually detail any films I review, as to me, if you know whats happening - it kind of ruins the film.
Beautifully shot - the lingering images of Gong Li etc, beautifully acted by some of the best and most attractive actors/actresses in the business and an utter masterpiece from Wong Kar-Wai.

Whilst I can understand some contempt for the movie - it is a little over-long and a bit hard to fathom the change of the lead character plus the aforementionned 'sci-fi' section all I would say is give it chance, watch the movie for a second time and sit back for the most pleasant ride to (and without being too obvious) 2046.

A must see - please ignore the subtitle hate brigade who dismiss non-english films without them ever seeing their DVD players.

Product Details/Specifications


Actor(s):
Li Gong
Takuya Kimura
Ziyi Zhang
Faye Wong
Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Creators:
Tony Leung Chiu Wai (Primary Contributor)
Li Gong (Primary Contributor)

Director(s):

Recording label: Tartan Video
Manufacturer: Tartan Video
EAN: 5023965353023
Binding: DVD
Number of items: 1
Format: Anamorphic, PAL, Widescreen,
Release date: 2005-05-23
Aspect ratio: 1.85:1
Audience rating: Suitable for 12 years and over
Running time: 129 minutes
Theatrical release date: 2004-10-20
Language: English (Subtitled)
Language: Cantonese Chinese (Original Language)

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