Chungking Express
i have seen the light: this is actually kinda perfect. my original nitpicks with the movie were how the whole blondie subplot was kinda out of place and how little narrative or structure there was to the movie that the ending didnt feel particularly satisfying; but that's all been addressed.
(genuinely my only issue right now is how many times California dreaming plays when the overall soundtrack is so fuckin amazing like cmon lemme hear the other songs more.)
a bittersweet look at hong kong in the 90s in all its beauty, ugliness and mundanity: how we exploit others for our capitalistic gains which connects to the western invasion of hong kong, culminating in Brigitte lin taking of her blonde wig and shooting her Caucasian enemy; two comically yet depressingly relatable lovesick cops chasing connection but end up with something that's fleeting and possibly never truly there; and the girl who's willing to put her feelings aside for her dreams, her goals, and thus is the one truly free to live her life with love and wonder. coupled with really really good dialogue, the signature wong kar wai visual direction and editing, and a perfectly balanced cool yet sentimental tone, and you got... a perfect movie.