In the Mood for Love

Pete once recommended this movie to me, telling me more or less that the movie's about an emotional affair between two of the most beautiful people in the world. A couple years later, I finally rent it, and he's pretty much spot on.

Two married couples move into spare rooms in adjacent apartments. Apparently a lot of people lived in a single apartment over there in the 60's, because both apartments are bustling, alive places, which serves as a stark contrast to the lonely lives that both Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan live. Both conclude that their perpetually absent spouses are involved in extra-marital affairs. Through a few chance encounters, Mr. Chow and Mrs. Chan form a bond and become friends, though they have to deal with the temptations presented by the new relationship.

The film is mostly presented in a series of short snippets of daily business for the two leads; Mr. Chow's conversations with co-workers at his indeterminate job, Mrs. Chan's secretarial duties which seem to be comprised mostly of helping her boss have an affair of his own, and nightly trips to the noodle stand down the street. At first, the slice of life editing felt jarring, but it grows on you and makes you feel that a more straightforward approach would have been less interesting. Also intriguing is the fact that we never see the face of either cheating spouse, but we only hear their voices. Their disloyalty is not what the film is about; rather, their infidelity is pushed to the side as we watch a friendship blossom.

Ultimately, what I found the most notable was the score. The movie uses a couple Spanish-language Nat King Cole songs and one lovely orchestral piece. The score helps tremendously to establish an epic mood for this romance and the spare soundtrack lends more significance to the few pieces used.

Anyway, I dug it. It's a good romance, if I'm allowed to say such a thing. It's a very subtle romance, and it makes me wish more American romances were made this well.

Rating: In the Mood for Love gets three thermoses of noodles out of a possible four thermoses of noodles.