Hong Kong-based filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai moves back and forth in time as he reexamines and amplifies the themes from his film In the Mood for Love in this offbeat romantic drama. Opening in the year 2046, in which a man named Tak (Takuya Kimura) attempts to persuades wjw 1967 (Faye Wong) to travel back in time with him, the film soon shifts to the year 1966, in which Chow Mo-wan (Tony Leung Chiu-wai), a struggling author, asks the woman he loves, Su Lizhen (Gong Li) to sail with him from Singapore
to Hong Kong on Christmas Eve. She declines, and over the next three years, we return to Chow Mo-wan on December 24 as he finds himself with another woman each year -- lighthearted Lulu (Carina Lau) in 1967, eccentric hotel heiress Wang Jingwen (Faye Wong) in 1968, and Bai Ling (Zhang Ziyi), a high-class prostitute, in 1969. In time, Chow Mo-wan and Wang Jingwen become reacquainted, and a love affair blooms, but the fates are not on their side. 2046 had its world premiere at the 2004 Cannes Film Festival. A re-edited version featuring an additional 4 minutes of footage, but minus sequences by martial arts coordinator Tung Wai) premiered in late 2004. ~ Mark Deming, Rovi
Quite simply an incomparably sublime work of art, a triumph of lyricism over narrative in the cinema, and the most exquisite homage to the beauty of women it has ever been my privilege to witness on the screen.
Wong offers an artful meditation on the nature of love, making effective use of color schemes (yellows, greens and reds), placid shotmaking and diverse music to deliver a sultry portrait of postwar Hong Kong.
It may help if you grasp the many allusions to Wong's earlier films (including, notably, Days of Being Wild), but it's far from necessary. This, after all, is undeniably real cinema.
The fascinating visuals and performances by Leung and the assortment of actresses like Gong, Zhang Ziyi and Maggie Cheung ensure that the film is still worth watching.
Wong's film has enough arresting images and intriguing characters that it manages to cast its spell, even though -- like Chow's relationships -- the magic doesn't linger.
An intoxicating and satisfying loose sequel to the brilliant "In the Mood for Love." Wai manages to tap into that same tonal vein as the predecessor. But rather than exploiting an old feeling, he manages to breathe new life in it, which is one of the highest praises that I can give a sequel. The acting is superb as
well with Maggie Cheung and Zhang Ziyi really delivering outstanding performances. I don't recommend watching this as a stand alone picture as I think one would find it hard to care about Tony Leung's character without knowing what took place in the previous film.Put 2046 in the end of your Wong Kar Wai marathon. It isn't his best, but is great for fans who want to spent a little more time with a characters they came to love so dearly.As they say in the film, 2046 is a place to recapture lost memories. Wai eloquently does this in 2046 and makes them feel fresh again.
No quotes approved yet for 2046. Logged in users can submit quotes.
Submit a Quote from '2046'
A quote can be a single line from one character or a memorable dialog between several characters. Please make your quotes accurate. Quotes will be submitted for approval by the RT staff.
Example:
Luke: Alright. I'll give it a try. Yoda: No. Try not. Do or do not. There is no try.
Top Critic
