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In the Mood for Love

Play trailer Poster for In the Mood for Love PG 2001 1h 37m Romance Drama Play Trailer Watchlist
Watchlist Tomatometer Popcornmeter
92% Tomatometer 191 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 Jul 17, 2023
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. Go to Full Review Joe Morgenstern Wall Street Journal Jul 15, 2023
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. Go to Full Review Peter Bradshaw Guardian Jul 15, 2023
5/5
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. Go to Full Review Tom Fitzgerald and Lorenzo Marquez Tom & Lorenzo Jul 21, 2026
Maybe this will come off like meaningless hyperbole to some, but we honestly think Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung in the film comprise one of the most beautiful onscreen couples in the entire history of cinema. Go to Full Review Daniel Barnes Dare Daniel Nov 5, 2025
5/5
Never not in the mood for this sumptuously beautiful yet melancholy and mysterious masterpiece. Go to Full Review Beth Accomando Vanguard Culture Aug 22, 2025
5/5
Revisiting In the Mood for Love 25 years later makes for an even richer experience. We can see how it plays into that one long film Wong said he was making and can feel its particular rhythms and how it adds a few new riffs. Go to Full Review Read all reviews

Audience Reviews

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Eliel Mar 6, 2026 This is my favorite film. I catch it whenever it is in the cinema. Longing is the name of the game and Wong Kar-wai understands this language. See more George B Sep 15, 2025 Aggressively beautiful, not just visually. See more Osmin B Jul 13, 2025 Breathtakingly beautiful. See more Michael Jul 6, 2025 Deservedly called a masterpiece. Read the New Yorker review from 2023 which says it all. See more T W Jul 6, 2025 Rapturous, beautiful, haunting, and heart breaking. I could watch this a thousand times See more Spencer Nielsen Sep 18, 2024 My favorite movie. A film whose aesthetic qualities are so intoxicating, it is the purpose of the narrative. See more Read all reviews
In the Mood for Love

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Cast & Crew

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Kar-Wai Wong

Director

Maggie Cheung

Su Li-zhen

Tony Leung Chiu Wai

Chow Mo-wan

Kelly Lai Chen

Mr. Ho

Rebecca Pan

Mrs. Suen

Ping Lam Siu

Ah Ping
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In the Mood for Love

In the Mood for Love (2000) In the Mood for Love (2000) In the Mood for Love (2000) View more photos

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
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)
$857.9K
Runtime
1h 37m
Sound Mix
Dolby Stereo, Dolby Digital, Dolby A, Surround, Dolby SR
Aspect Ratio
Flat (1.66:1)
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