Chungking Express

Directed by lionized, Chinese filmmaker Wong Kar-Wai, CHUNGKING EXPRESS is on the surface an exercise in style, and at its heart a tribute to youth. Expressing itself in unique cinematography, showing singular images or people stagnated within a quickly moving camera, and telling two stories about two different cops who pine for women at the same teahouse, CHUNGKING EXPRESS attempts to materialize the excitement of youth and blossoming love. It is quirky, but not obviously so. In fact, all of Kar-Wai's cinematic gestures are seamless within his established environment. In the first segment of the film, He Qiwu, collects pineapple cans with the expiration date of April 1st. April 1st will signify a month since breaking up with his long-time girlfriend, and it is also his birthday. He says that if the pineapples expire on April 1st, so will his love. He Qiwu is a cop, and occasionally brushes against people in his line of work who impress upon him small ideas or romantic visions. He Qiwu is like a detective who is investigating something meaningless or trivial, but this seemingly trivial investigation is actually one that is close to his heart. The second segment concerns the unnamed cop 663. He has broken up with his flight attendant girlfriend, and pines for her at the teahouse where He Qiwu spends most of his days. He notices, however, the pixie-like Faye, and her influence becomes important to the cop. Apart from being a tribute to youth, Wong Kar-Wai's film is a tribute to style. The first half could be likened to gangster films, and the second half to comedies like HIS GIRL FRIDAY in its playful nature.
Chungking Express: ★★★★