In the Mood for love is one of my favorite Movies.
In Wong Kar-wai's 2000 classic, In the Mood for Love, he creates a mesmerizing tale of forbidden love. Set in 1962 Hong Kong, the film follows the journey of two tenants, Mr Chow and Mrs Su that share a wall between their apartments as they adjust to their newly found knowledge that their spouses are having an affair with each other. Unable to confront their spouses directly, but drawn ever closer by an almost magical attraction between them; this enthralling creation combines ingeniously-crafted sequences with a wonderfully melancholic score and characterizes the struggles of individuals trying to break free from a stifling societal surveillance while honoring their moral code.
The narrative features various opportunities for contemplation on how humans attempt to contain unexpected storms of emotion through restriction and discipline when faced with adversity. In the film, both Chow and Su battle against temptations of promiscuity although they already feel emotionally connected towards each other. Through intimate moments like conversations and meaningful glances that reveal unclad desires without ever crossing into careless physical contact viewers experience the heartfelt inner struggle between emotions seemingly too grand for one single moment.
By carefully daubing his visuals with vivid symbolism such as blurred frames during romantic scenes or moody indoor light during courtship interactions, Wong is demonstrating his determination for optimism despite characters who are increasingly discouraged by societys harsh judgment regarding moral boundaries blurring with ones personal intensity sways. As Chow succinctly alludes towards the ending when he says we can never do it again one understands that regret comes whispered behind polite smiles in order to achieve balance in morality leading to self-contentment despite being more alone than ever before.