Even if you’ve never seen one of Wong Kar-Wai’s movies, you’ve seen his movies. His influence is such that it has permeated Hollywood for the past two decades in filmmakers as diverse as Quentin Tarantino, Sofia Coppola, and Barry Jenkins. Just check out the framing and use of light in Moonlight for a recent (Oscar-winning) example.
Considering his outsized impact on modern day filmmaking, it’s hard to believe that he’s only officially released eleven films, or that his one foray into an English-language production with big-name movie stars is universally acclaimed as his worst. So what is it about his work that has led him to be so widely regarded as one of the grand masters (pun intended!) of world cinema?
Rather than read me talk about why Wong Kar-Wai is so important to the history of film, why not discover the reasons for yourself. With that in mind, bust out your qipaos and tuxedos and check out the top five most essential Wong Kar-Wai movies.
5. 2046
What to watch for: Zhang ZiYi, of Hero fame, gives an Oscar-worthy performance as one of Chow’s jilted loves
Signature Song: "Sway" by Dean Martin
Signature Look: Tony Leung in a black suit
Right off the bat, let’s begin with what many consider to be the culmination of Wong Kar-Wai’s career, with his much anticipated 2046. A word of warning: those of you hoping to deep dive into Wong’s filmography in reverse order will be disappointed, as 2046 is actually the third film in what has become known as his Love Trilogy.
While each film is only loosely linked to the others, they do feature many overlapping characters, and make references to circumstances from the previous films. This means you’ll be well served saving 2046 until last, as the non-linear plot and narrative leaps are confusing enough even if you’ve seen the two movies that came before.
In 2046, named for the last year of Hong Kong’s semi-sovereignty prior to China officially resuming full control of the island, the narrative fluctuates between Chow’s (Tony Leung) numerous dalliances with the women in his apartment building and a futuristic sci-fi tale written by Chow that concerns a perpetual train, on which lost souls dream of escaping to 2046.
Sound confusing? Don’t worry, it’s meant to be. Part of the fun of Wong Kar-Wai is that there is so much to discover upon subsequent viewings.
4. Days of Being Wild
What to watch for: Andy Lau, as Policeman 6117, crushing hard on Maggie Cheung and, missing his chance to pronounce his feelings, fleeing to the Philippines
Signature Song: "Perfidia" by Xavier Cugat
Signature Look: Carina Lau in a lavender dress and white shoes
The first entry in the Love Trilogy, Days Of Being Wild is a great place to start in any Wong Kar-Wai retrospective. Set in 1960’s Hong Kong, Yuddy (Leslie Cheung) plays an unrepentant playboy who seems to take pleasure in breaking women’s hearts. Both Maggie Cheung and Carina Lau shine as Yuddy’s on-again, off-again girlfriends.
Even as one of Wong’s first features, it has all the hallmarks that would make his style so popular among the Hollywood intelligentsia: the repetitive musical themes (both with the score and songs), the gorgeous lighting courtesy of long-time collaborator Christopher Doyle, the aching nostalgia, and mournful voice-over narration.
The only disappointment is that the ending sequence with Tony Leung as a character known only as The Gambler was intended to be the launching point for a sequel, but because of the poor box office reception at the time, the financial backing was pulled. (I’ve even read that some of that sequel was actually shot.) Of course, if that film had been completed, we never would have gotten number one on our list, so I suppose it all worked out in the end.
3. Happy Together
What to watch for: Leslie Cheung teaching Tony Leung how to tango
Signature Song: "I Have Been In You" by Frank Zappa
Signature Look: Leslie Cheung in a white tank top and plaid boxers
Perhaps Wong’s most audacious work, Happy Together came out in 1997 and featured what at the time (and in some parts of the world, still) was a shocking sight: an on-screen love affair between two men. Tony Leung and Leslie Cheung (noticing a trend?) play a tumultuous couple who have travelled from Hong Kong to Argentina, only to have their relationship blow up.
With very little exposition or explanation, it soon becomes clear that these two lovers have a history of running red hot and ice cold. The film mostly sticks to the chilly episodes, although it’s heartbreaking to watch Leung nurse his ungrateful amour back to health after an injury, only to be rejected once again.
If the languorous shots of Iguazú Falls don’t make you long for a trip to Argentina, the claustrophobia of their small, single bed studio apartment will definitely make you nostalgic for the summer of 2020.
2. Chungking Express
What to watch for: Wang Fei’s legendary cover of the Cranberries’ Dreams
Signature Song: California Dreamin’ by The Mamas And The Papas
Signature Look: Wang Fei with a pixie cut
The movie that made Quentin Tarantino cry because of how much he loved it, Chungking Express was for many people, myself included, their first introduction to the film world of Wong Kar-Wai. And though the narrative is difficult to follow, and there’s no clear resolution, its immersive nature will linger with you for a long time afterwards.
This is made possible by two of Wong’s most powerful techniques, his ability to create empathy with the emotional state of his characters, usually involving a deep longing or need for connection, and the way he recycles the same music throughout the film to evoke atmosphere.
Even with the subtitles off, you’d still understand a great deal about what’s motivating Wang Fei’s character to clean a stranger’s apartment, and the sad longing of Tony Leung’s Cop 663. And you’ll never be able to listen to California Dreamin’ or Dreams again without remembering this film.
Also, I’m fairly certain this is the movie The Lake House is based on.
1. In The Mood For Love
What to watch for: Leung and Cheung roleplaying how their spouses’ affair might have started, and falling in love with each other in the process
Signature Song: "Quizás, Quizás, Quizás" by Nat King Cole
Signature Look: Maggie Cheung in a qipao…any qipao
In The Mood For Love isn’t just the pinnacle of Wong Kar-Wai’s career, it’s one of the greatest films ever made. It tells the tale of two neighbors who discover their spouses are cheating on them—with the other’s partner. From that simple, delicious premise, we are treated to what I consider the most romantic movie ever made.
Along the way, we get to experience the elegance and humidity of 1960’s Hong Kong through the immaculate costuming of William Chang and the gorgeous framing and lighting provided once again by Christopher Doyle. In The Mood For Love is a masterclass in how a film needs to synthesize every element of production in service of the overarching themes.
It also gives us two of Asia’s most charismatic film stars, Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung, teaching us so much about what it means to long for someone with nothing but a few stray glances and whispered words.
About the Author: Decater Collins is a videographer and film lover based in Portland, Oregon.
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Note From Tongal: This blog is part of a series of Tongal Community-written blog posts that were originally sourced in the Tongal Blog Open Call Project. The views and opinions expressed in this article are those of the author(s) and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Tongal. Read more Tongal Community-written posts here!
