In the Mood for Love




The Next Reel Film Podcast show

Summary: Wong Kar-Wai's sumptuous film "In the Mood for Love" premiered at the Cannes Film Festival in 2000 and, while it lost the Palm d'Or, it left an indelible impression on everyone who saw it. A story of a connection between a man and woman who learn their spouses are having an affair, the film deals with their growing friendship as they help each other come to terms with the infidelity. In the process, they also struggle with their own draw to each other. Join us — Pete Wright and Andy Nelson — as we discuss the first of our Listener's Choice films. Steven Smart won the drawing and chose this film for us to discuss, and we're thrilled he did because we both fell in love with it. We talk about the nature of the love between the two leads played by Tony Leung and Maggie Cheung and how, on the one hand, the draw they have to each other is never consummated because they don't want to stoop to the level of their spouses, while on the other hand, they both are afraid that it's not what the other person wants so they don't act. We discuss the stunning look of the film, both from a cinematography standpoint as well as costumes and production design, and how the artists behind those elements make the film what it is. And we chat about director Wong Kar-Wai and how he started making one film but ended up with this one (perhaps because he did this without a script?). It's a beautiful film that touched both of us with its art and finesse. We had a wonderful time watching this film and have a great time chatting about it. Tune in!