Chungking Express
After watching Fallen Angels, I couldn't wait to see Chungking Express. Wong Kar Wai is definitely making his way up to being my favorite director. Not only do his films resonate with me incredibly well, but also are they making me feel a way no other films do.
Chungking Express is something very special. It contains two separate stories, driven by the same thematic foundation. A lost and lonesome guy, whose life changes when he meets a very special woman. Yet, both are so different from each other. The first half starts immediately, is very catchy, and I loved the characters. I like that we don't get to know too much about the mysterious woman, as it plays with the fact of barely knowing anything about her. The second half is the one I personally prefer. It's about two lost souls finding each other in a constantly changing world, which gets visualized with Faye redecorating his apartment and, in the end, also his life. This story is just so beautifully told, it blew me away.
The cinematography is, again, one of a kind. Wong Kar Wai is undeniably on another level when it comes to style and visuals. There's no one like him. His direction is just astonishing and it's a director I will forever look up to. The soundtrack is phenomenal, filled with super atmospheric and captivating jams. I'll probably never listen to California Dreamin' the same way again. The performances are super authentic and flawless. The same can be said about all of the rest, everything is pretty much flawless here.
Overall, Chungking Express has become one of my all time favorite films, and I am just breathless by how well executed it is. I think it's slightly superior to Fallen Angels, though both are astonishing in their own ways. This one got me with its sweet characters and smooth story, blended with an unforgettable cinematography and atmosphere. What a timeless masterpiece!