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Cast:
Tony
Leung Chiu Wai
Brigitte
Lin
Takeshi
Kaneshiro
Faye
Wong
Valerie
Chow
Writer:
Wong
Kar Wai
Producer:
Chan
Yi Kan
Director:
Wong
Kar Wai
Score:
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CHUNGKING
EXPRESS
AKA:
Chung King Express
Year:
1994 Reviewer: Tony
Ryan
A
cult classic around the globe and one of Wong Kar Wai's
quickest productions, filmed during a 3 month break from
another classic 'Ashes of Time', 'Chungking Express' is a
fabulous piece of art house filmmaking that encapsulates true
emotion and showcases some flawless performances from some of
the East’s finest stars.
Essentially
two separate stories loosely linked by the central location of
a small take away; the majority of filming took place in and
around the bustling Tsimshatsui and the now famous Chungking
Mansions. The movie was originally supposed to cover 3
separate stories, but as filming commenced, the third was done
away with eventually turning up in 'Fallen
Angels' a year or so later. The two that remain are unique
in style and tone, with the first being a rather bleak and
definitely more artistically shot by Andrew Lau and follows
the story of "223" (Takeshi Kaneshiro) a plain
clothes cop pining for his ex-girlfriend. He eventually meets
a mysterious blonde wigged girl (Brigitte Lin) and proceeds to
quickly fall in love with her. With the blonde girl leaving as
abruptly as she appeared, 223 meets a young girl, Ah Fei (Faye
Wong) at his favourite take away. 6 Hours later, she falls in
love with another man, cop 663 (Tony Leung) who also was left
by his girlfriend. Ah Fei continually breaks into his
apartment changing where his belongings live, and bringing in
things of her own, which all goes by unnoticed by 663!
Simple
stories beautifully told, and in the short time it takes for
the films to reach its abstract conclusion, we begin to feel a
genuine bond for the characters, especially in the 2nd episode
where the fabulous choice of soundtrack only aids the pleasure
of watching this marvellous film. Both episodes could just as
easily fill a running time by themselves, and as such could be
viewed independently. However, as a complete picture is where
they deliver the greatest satisfaction. It is rare for such a
film to hold one's attention seemingly without trying, and as
such it must not be missed by anyone who loves films of any
genre.
This
was to be Faye Wong's only film appearance to date, although
she had previously worked on a TVB series, and again with Kar
Wai in a Motorola ad in 1997. Hopefully, this is not
the last we see of her, as her glowing presence was one of the
many great things to recommend this film. Do yourself a favour
and buy it. Today.
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