Review of 2046
Jan. 30th, 2006 03:32 pm![[personal profile]](https://www.dreamwidth.org/img/silk/identity/user.png){kind=small}
dotintheskyWhat a nice surprise it was to discover last night that Ziyi Zhang had a role in 2046. She's not only an amazing actress but also one of the most beautiful women I've ever seen on screen. She reminds me of a young Kate Moss, but with more refinement -- perhaps a little like Audrey Hepburn. Yet, there's something about her that is all her own, that cannot be compared to any other actress or beautiful woman.
It was hard getting into 2046's pace, but once the story became clear it turned into a great film to watch. I loved how the main character (a pulp author) lived in Wanchai, a place still renowned for its seedy hotels and prostitutes (oh, how I miss Hong Kong sometimes!) I kept waiting for scenes on streets that I knew as a teenager, but there were none; Hong Kong has changed so much since 1967 (the time in which the film is set) that I can see how difficult it would have been to have exterior shoots that captured that lost period. Instead, the director concentrated the story in the rooms 2046 & 2047 of the hotel, and in the memories of the writer. The soundtrack was brilliant; it made me think of my mother and whether she listened to the same music at the time (she was 22 in 1967 and she collected classical records just like the owner of the hotel.) And how brilliant was it to have a science-fiction story whithin a story set in the 60s? It reminded me of the novel Cloud Atlas, specially with reference to the android lovers.
I need to see 2046 again and pay closer attention to the story's chronology (the jumps back & forward were slightly confusing). In the end, I wasn't sure if the pulp writer's return to Singapore was a search for the young prostitute or the Black Widow. Perhaps it didn't matter, or was left as ambiguous as possible since the writer himself didn't seem to know who he loved.
It was hard getting into 2046's pace, but once the story became clear it turned into a great film to watch. I loved how the main character (a pulp author) lived in Wanchai, a place still renowned for its seedy hotels and prostitutes (oh, how I miss Hong Kong sometimes!) I kept waiting for scenes on streets that I knew as a teenager, but there were none; Hong Kong has changed so much since 1967 (the time in which the film is set) that I can see how difficult it would have been to have exterior shoots that captured that lost period. Instead, the director concentrated the story in the rooms 2046 & 2047 of the hotel, and in the memories of the writer. The soundtrack was brilliant; it made me think of my mother and whether she listened to the same music at the time (she was 22 in 1967 and she collected classical records just like the owner of the hotel.) And how brilliant was it to have a science-fiction story whithin a story set in the 60s? It reminded me of the novel Cloud Atlas, specially with reference to the android lovers.
I need to see 2046 again and pay closer attention to the story's chronology (the jumps back & forward were slightly confusing). In the end, I wasn't sure if the pulp writer's return to Singapore was a search for the young prostitute or the Black Widow. Perhaps it didn't matter, or was left as ambiguous as possible since the writer himself didn't seem to know who he loved.
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no subject
on 2006-01-30 08:21 pm (UTC)There are also characters from "Chungking Express" and "Days of Being Wild" that pop up in "2046". As with all Wong Kar-Wai films, the more you watch, the more you enjoy. He's a fucking genius.
no subject
on 2006-01-30 09:12 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-01-30 11:00 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-01-30 11:27 pm (UTC)Well, if I can't find them anywhere, I might take up your offer. :-) Cheers!
no subject
on 2006-01-31 05:44 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-01-31 10:41 am (UTC)Kung hei fat choi, Ollie!!!
on 2006-01-31 05:11 pm (UTC)I agree with naturalbornkaos above, the film will flow more coherently if you have seen "In the mood for love".
You will appreciate that soundtrack as well.
I saw 2046 before Christmas here in NY, I left the cinema quite homesick, even though like you say you don't see much of the city. For me it's the whole mood, style and how he shows the inner stillness and heartache in the hustle and bustle. Plus two of my friends/mentors worked on the costumes for it, so I miss them and the bombsite that was our workshop.
Give "ChungKing Express" a look if you can get a copy, you may squeal when you recognise more of the places.
Right breakfast time.
p.s Thank you for the nudge. : )
Re: Kung hei fat choi, Ollie!!!
on 2006-01-31 05:25 pm (UTC)I could imagine that you would also feel homesick after seeing his movies. Makes me wonder when will I ever have the chance to visit Hong Kong again, walk through the old streets I knew well, even go to my old high school, or the places I used to go in the weekends as a teenager.
no subject
on 2006-02-04 10:26 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-02-04 11:26 am (UTC)no subject
on 2006-02-08 04:11 pm (UTC)no subject
on 2006-02-08 04:39 pm (UTC)